Amidst Disaster For The Honor Of Saint Sebastian

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LIFESTYLE | February 5, 2020

Hundreds of devotees have gathered outside the San Sebastian Cathedral and took part in the grand procession during the Feast of San Sebastian last January 20 which proved the resiliency of Lipeños' faithfulness in God and the city's patron saint amidst a looming Taal Volcano eruption that has affected thousands of Batangueños. (Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status)

Every January of each year, the people of downtown Lipa City are anticipating the feast of their patron saint San Sebastian and preparing a bundle of meals for their loved ones, friends and guests. It feels like an eat-all-you-can buffet in every home during the city's fiesta. However, this year becomes less festive because of the thousands of families from far-flung parts of Batangas forcing to leave their homes and livelihood and seeking refuge in evacuation centers across the city due to the eruption and continuous activity of Taal Volcano which began last January 12th.

The city government, schools, religious and non-government organizations and even concerned residents are becoming vigilant in offering and providing assistance to those who were displaced by the volcano eruption. It eventually pushed the city government to postpone all of the remaining festivities scheduled for its highly-anticipated fiesta celebration which was a bit saddening to me but I understand that it is better to give way and be humble than to enjoy ourselves while there are those who suffer. However, our faith in God and the city's patron saint San Sebastian would prevail as the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian announced on social media that its schedule of activities for the feast of San Sebastian will likely push through, including the concelebrated mass and grand procession.

On the day of the feast, I managed to chow down at some of my loved ones' residents regardless of which one I can try and indulge. But I've noticed that there are those who decide not to prepare for the celebration while some have entertained fewer guests than the usual affair. It makes sense to anyone who have enjoyed this year's fiesta that the Taal Volcano eruption barely affected the festivities, but the procession that I didn't witness shows that the city is ready to withstand anything that threatens to hinder its faith and splendor, welcome and shoulder those who are affected by any circumstance, and overcome anything that challenges its resiliency and progress with San Sebastian as its guide.

The worst may be yet to come considering that a more dangerous eruption is possible although PHIVOLCS downgraded the alert status of Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3, but I believe that the city will be more festive again when next year's fiesta celebration comes. For now, I can assume that the city government would transfer the postponed activities from the faith-centric fiesta celebration to its upcoming foundation day once the danger completely subsides but that is all to be determined in the coming months. In conclusion, regardless of what might happen in the foreseeable future, always remember that San Sebastian will always be watching over us and the city even after the fiesta celebration. Viva San Sebastian!!