Faces

As a celebration of harvest and in honor to Sto.Niño our family always travel to Ibajay, Aklan every 3rd Sunday of January. The devotion to our beloved Sto.Niño is not only in our country but to other parts of the globe. This feast that we are celebrating is not just for Catholics, tourists are also welcome. A lot of devotees and pilgrims gather in towns and cities(like Kalibo, Cebu) to hear novena masses and attend processions. People beleived that Sto.Niño is a miracle worker because of answered prayers. As years passed by, I noticed that we are slowly difting away for the real cause. This generation might be different. Is it for the saint or is it just for fun? On the contrary. In this small town, you can still see the people who are dead serious about this feast. Spending up to the last centavo to cater not just their families but for distant relatives and gatecrashers/walk-ins as well. As part of our culture we are obliged to continue what our forefathers had started and the government supports the street dancers dressed in various costumes to represent their barangays. In the parade, floats contain offerings to Sto.Niño such as crops,fruits, crabs, lobsters and shells. During our last visit, I was able to capture some of the faces and expressions of various people on the 3-day festivity.

A drummer boy waiting for his companions to hit the road.

A dancer carrying an image of Sto Niño.

Tired and asking for water.

Happiness is a choice.

A small girl carrying an image of Sto Niño with a rosary on her head.

A toddler dressed in Sto Niño costume.

Baby dressed in Sto Niño costume.

A participant checking the line.

Eyes of a child. Full of wonder, full of hope.

Curious case.

The Banner Boy.

Carefully hitting the right notes. A single mistake is a big NO NO.

The expression of a dancer after pulling-off an excellent move.

Spectators with mixed emotions

A possible LQ

She's probably glazed and confused after seeing a drunk girl on the parade.

...and this is the drunk girl.

One of the locals, appreciating beauty.

And she smiles with flattery.

A disappointed devotee, with a straight-faced expression to other drunk participants.

Revived and relieved

"I've been there".

"...and done that".

Viva! kay Señor Sto.Niño

A wolfish boy trying to escape from the crowd before getting more drunk participants.

They no longer care if beers are not cold.

I second that emotion.

"Go get some, tiger".

"Sorry, brah' I am from another tribe".

Cut the chase boys, he's got

bamboo ammunition. A spicy one.

Bleaked

A moment of silence.

Whispering a prayer.

Fallen to sarcasm after hearing screams.

Another dreamy spectator, spotted.

A mischievous look.

Unconvinced boy looking at the crowd.

This caught the boy's attention.

A blank face.

A drummer with a FrancisM shirt. | Happy Battle

We exchanged shots. Cheers!

For generations, these people had witnessed the festivities from year to year and probably can provide more information about the changes in all those years of celebrtating the feast.

A happy man in his happy home.

Dancing days

A matriarch telling stories about his ancestors and...

...how dignified this whiskey could be.

Viva La Ninz

After the mass.

Brooding look on a man's face | what is he worrying about?

An elderly participating in the parade.

sunset