Parada ng Lechon - Sumptuous, Golden and Crispy!
November 2, 2008 by admin
Filed under Batangas Festivals
The Festival
The Parada ng Lechon is Filipino for parade of roasted pigs. It is to commemorate the feast of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of the people of Balayan, Batangas and celebrated every 24th of June, with the presence of the sumptuous, golden red and crispy, roasted pigs.
On the eve of the festival, an anniversay ball is held at the town plaza where people choose and coronate the Lechon Queen. On the day of the event, a mass is held at the Immaculate Concepcion church, and right after, at least 50 lechon from all over Balayan gather together in the anticipation of the celebration. The parade starts after the blessing of the pigs and the people in St. John the Baptistís name.
It has became the highlight of the festival to see lechon parade dressed in costumes such as wigs, sunglasses, hats, and many other clothings. The costumes depend on the participating organizationís chosen theme.
Dousing of water is common during the festival and symbolizes the act of baptism of Saint John to Jesus Christ.
The Preparation
In the preparation of the soon to be lechon, pigs are placed in a roasting pit where charcoals are used for cooking. While being baked, water and the pigís own oil and fat is brushed all over the pigís body with an improvised leaves-bristled brush. At least 5 hours of doing so makes the lechon crispy.
When cooked and ready, the lechon is dressed up and brought to the church, line up in the patio during the mass in honor of Saint John the Baptist.
Origin
An old villager once told that during the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, lechon was a served by the local people. Since then, it has became the symbol to serve roasted pigs during celebrations as a Batangas tradition.
In Succession
During the celebration, celebrants may do pranks and mischief, douse water or beer over the lechon drenching both the pigs and the people carrying it.
The parade starts on the streets of Balayan, the act of dousing of water is very common as bystanders drench the participants with small buckets or basin of water. Some would even allow people to have a taste of their lechon.
Truly a picture of happy, warm and friendly Filipinos that invites the whole world to come over and enjoy the feast of sumptuous dish.
At the end of the parade, it is the time when people get to enjoy the product of their labor and feast on the mouth watering roasted pigs as the celebration of drinking and merrymaking extends to the end of the day.
