PATEROS FIESTA IN CANADA
A Filipino tradition in the diaspora
A Filipino tradition in the diaspora
By Heidi M. Pascual
The city of Pateros in Metro Manila got its name from its major
industry, raising ducks (Tagalog word "pato," with Spanish
origin ), and "pateros" means duck-raisers. Many of its
residents' children, however, chose not to become
duck-raisers themselves. They left their families for the
proverbial green pasture abroad, but they kept their traditions
alive through annual fiestas celebrating their patron saint,
Santa Marta.
Santa Marta, as Catholics were taught, was the sister of Mary
Magdalene and Lazarus, who served Jesus and His disciples
whenever he visited them in their home. Thus, in the
Philippines, Santa Marta is considered the patron saint of
servers and cooks. Her faith in Jesus was tested when
Lazarus died and Jesus asked her if she believed in Jesus.
When she said she did, Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead.
The same faith has been carried from one generation to
another among Filipinos in general, and among the Pateros
folks, in particular.
Santa Marta was named the patron saint of Pateros because,
according to a legend, she saved the community from a
monster crocodile that had been eating their ducks, after the
community was advised by their parish priest to pray to her. In
gratitude, the people of Pateros honor Santa Marta as their
patron saint with a big fiesta every year. And even if many
Pateros folks are not residing in Pateros anymore, they still get
together to continue this tradition.
The city of Pateros in Metro Manila got its name from its major
industry, raising ducks (Tagalog word "pato," with Spanish
origin ), and "pateros" means duck-raisers. Many of its
residents' children, however, chose not to become
duck-raisers themselves. They left their families for the
proverbial green pasture abroad, but they kept their traditions
alive through annual fiestas celebrating their patron saint,
Santa Marta.
Santa Marta, as Catholics were taught, was the sister of Mary
Magdalene and Lazarus, who served Jesus and His disciples
whenever he visited them in their home. Thus, in the
Philippines, Santa Marta is considered the patron saint of
servers and cooks. Her faith in Jesus was tested when
Lazarus died and Jesus asked her if she believed in Jesus.
When she said she did, Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead.
The same faith has been carried from one generation to
another among Filipinos in general, and among the Pateros
folks, in particular.
Santa Marta was named the patron saint of Pateros because,
according to a legend, she saved the community from a
monster crocodile that had been eating their ducks, after the
community was advised by their parish priest to pray to her. In
gratitude, the people of Pateros honor Santa Marta as their
patron saint with a big fiesta every year. And even if many
Pateros folks are not residing in Pateros anymore, they still get
together to continue this tradition.
In Toronto, Canada, for example, a Pateros Fiesta was held July 23 to thank Santa Marta for the blessings they and
their families have been receiving from heaven. They held the traditional procession with the image of Santa Marta, a
traditional "river float," although they had to make do with a shallow stream instead, and a pandangguhan (street folk
dancing). As usual, there were lots of games and food for all. My friends, Ed and Nieva Escall, were there as
participants, and they took the photos on this page. (Thanks, Ed and Nieva!)
their families have been receiving from heaven. They held the traditional procession with the image of Santa Marta, a
traditional "river float," although they had to make do with a shallow stream instead, and a pandangguhan (street folk
dancing). As usual, there were lots of games and food for all. My friends, Ed and Nieva Escall, were there as
participants, and they took the photos on this page. (Thanks, Ed and Nieva!)
According to Ed Escall, the Pateros Fiesta in
Toronto was well attended mostly by Pateros
migrant people. "The atmosphere -- the
procession accompanied by the Pateros Band --
was reminiscent of the fiesta back home minus
the big river and the crocodile float where Santa
Marta 'rides' on its back. This time, she has to be
content riding on an air bag (right). Lots of Balut,
Penoy (cooked unfertilized duck eggs) and itlog
na maalat (salted eggs). Despite the heat wave,
people were dancing and enjoying the
festivities."
Toronto was well attended mostly by Pateros
migrant people. "The atmosphere -- the
procession accompanied by the Pateros Band --
was reminiscent of the fiesta back home minus
the big river and the crocodile float where Santa
Marta 'rides' on its back. This time, she has to be
content riding on an air bag (right). Lots of Balut,
Penoy (cooked unfertilized duck eggs) and itlog
na maalat (salted eggs). Despite the heat wave,
people were dancing and enjoying the
festivities."
| Procession and pandangguhan |