Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint (the Philippines is the only majority-Christian country in Southeast

Asia) or to mark the passage of the seasons, depending on which part of the country you're in. The sole exception is Christmas, where the whole country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long before December. The roots of Philippine fiestas go back even further - back to before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 1500s. In the old animistic culture, regular ritual offerings were made to placate the gods, and these offerings evolved into the fiestas we know today. A wonderful fiesta season means good luck for the rest of the year. For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make amends for past wrongs. In one place, penitents lash themselves with whips; in another, childless women dance on the streets hoping for the blessing of a child. Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year it is, there's sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere! The Grand Parade
On October 04, 2013 (Friday) at about 1:00 in the afternoon, teacher Jannette signaled the start of the Kahayagan Barangay Fiesta Grand Parade.Teacher Rowena together with the kindergarten pupils led the parade through the highway of Kahaygan. They were followed by the royal court of the Reyna and Lola Ko pageant who were outfitted in the most splendid gowns befitting the queens and princesses that they are. Interspersed among the royal floats were the supporters and the barangay officials. For the first time in Sisons fiesta history, the Jollibee, the Coca Cola Bottlers, Inc., the San Miguel Corporation, the Northern Cement Corporation and other major sponsors joined the grand parade.
The blistering heat of the morning sun did not mar the super excitement of the huge crowd that already filled the streets hours before the start of the motorcade. The groups of street dancers in their brightly colored costumes and painted bodies who started pounding the streets with their Ati-atihan, to the rhythm of the beating of the drums and shrill whistles, delighted the parade goers and elicited raucous cheers. The street dance is a competition where various schools in Sison participated. The Sison Central Integrated School bagged the fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00) first prize, Amagabagan National High School placed second with a ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) cash prize and the Artacho National High School came in third place with a five thousand pesos award (P5,000.00). One of the spectators, a balikbayan from the U.SA., commented that it was as if God was with the people and the town of Sison during the merrymaking. He even wished that the days excitement would never end. The Coronation Night At about 8:00 in the evening, the honorable couple Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco and Mayor Kimi S. Cojuangco, in their usual flair, were acknowledged by the handsome and dazzling emcees for their arrival at the Sison Auditorium. They were met by the Sison Town Fiesta 2007 executive chairman, Madam Juliet Marinas and Vice-Mayor, Honorable Bensaulozacheus Marinas, along with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan. Rhumba, tangos and waltzes played by the much acclaimed EC Jammers Band enticed everyone to take to the dance floor. It was not long before the much awaited arrival of the crowning guest and speaker, Senator Loren Legarda, caught everyones attention. The crowd burst to their feet and hustled for a place in the front rows to catch the hand of the beautiful celebrity. At the back rows where it was impossible for everyone to come closer, the crowd cheered and waved their hands to the senator as gestures of greetings and welcome and it was jovially acknowledged.

After a few more dances, the honorable Mayor of the City of Urdaneta, Amadito Perez, Jr., arrived. His usual popularity as former 5th District Representative has not lessened as evidenced by the warm and standing ovation of the huge crowd that overfilled the municipal auditorium. Without further delay and much ado, the nights agenda commenced by an opening prayer led by her Highness, Lola Irene M. Florendo. A welcome address was rendered by the honorable Vice-Mayor followed by a message from Mayor Kimi S. Cojuangco. She thanked the honorable senator for her presence despite the many schedules and commitments she has. She also gladly shared a memory of their school days with the senator where the latter was a real brain and beauty. They were former schoolmates at the La Consolacion College. During her speech, Mayor Kimi expressed her congratulations and sincere gratitude to the reigning lolas for their invaluable support of the festivities. She also thanked those who sponsored the candidates who have gone beyond their means just to be able to contribute and be a part of her administrations first Sison town fiesta experience. She made special mention to the Sisonians in Hongkong and Macau, the Sisonians in London, and Sisonians in the U.S.A., where she visited recently, and other countries in her bid for oneness towards progress for all Sisonians. She also thanked the local citizenry of Sison for their utmost support in making this towns festivity a success. The message of honorable Mayor, Amadito Perez, Jr., of Urdaneta City immediately followed.The honorable Mayor, in his speech, gave much weight to the status of Urdaneta City. He expressed his deep concern regarding the citys welfare if not being mann ed by a true and dedicated person. It is at this juncture that he challenged the honorable Congressman, Mark O. Cojuangco, to become the next mayor of Urdaneta City because of his untainted dedication to service and a righteous leader. It shall be noted that the honorable congressman is already in his last term as Representative of 5th District of the province of Pangasinan. After the challenging speech of honorable Amadito Prez, Jr., the honorable congressman took his turn behind the rostrum to acknowledge the presence of the honorable Senator Legarda for gracing the towns festivity and to thank her for giving importance to the honorable mayors invitation. He went on to answer the call of the Mayor of Urdaneta City. He is skeptic of the challe nge but he might take it if mayor Amadito Perez, Jr. will also promise to succeed him as 5th District Representative. In like manner, the honorable Congressman cannot entrust to anyone his present office other than honorable Mayor Amadito Perez, Jr. The Congressman is deeply concerned with the welfare of the town of Sison if the honorable mayor will not succeed him. The honorable Congressman went on to introduce the guest of honor, Senator Loren Legarda, as among the major benefactors of Sison. With much bravado, he declared his endorsement of her bid for the presidency in 2010 hand in hand with all the constituents of the municipality of Sison. The remark was followed by a thunderous applause from the crowd. Unfaltering sparks and camera flashes, a burst of almost unending uproar and excitement from the crowd accompanied the honorable senator as she climbed up the stage. The honorable senator was enthralled by the warm welcome. She spoke of the many achievements she was able to make during her term as senator and she also mentioned the many plans she still has in mind for the Filipino people. Her ideals are worth believing and her achievements are true monuments of her dedication and love for the Filipino people. Soon, the blare of the trumpets filled the auditorium announcing the start of the crowning ceremony. The Mutya ng Sison, 2006, in her very stunning beauty and elegance that made the heart of every man witnessing the procession beat faster in each of her graceful steps, took her final march around the auditorium as Sisons queen, a title that she would soon relinquish to her successor. Her Highness, Lola Maura Garcia, the 3rd Princess, did not make it to that nights grand ceremony because of the sudden death of her husband. The honorable couple were very much saddened by the untimely occurrence. In their seats, the Congressman and the Mayor whispered a short prayer for the repose of the 3rd Princess husband. The show must go on. Her Highness, 2nd Pricess, Lola Irene M. Florendo, a retired nurse representing Sisonians in the United States of America, escorted by her husband, Dr. Leo Florendo, marched elegantly to her throne. Her Highness, 1st Princess Felicidad Burgonio, the local representative, in her black and silver gown and escorted by her grandson, followed the 2nd Princess in all smiles and pride as she took each step to her throne. Again, the blare of the trumpets filled the air announcing the entrance of her Majesty, Queen Tessie C. Alboukharey, a former beauty queen in a Filipino community beauty pageant held in London. She represents the Sisonians in the United Kingdom and is one of the officers of the Sagunto Friendship Association of London (SFAL). She was escorted by her nephew, Mr. Albert C. Taglicud. As Her Majesty, the Queen, stepped on the red carpet to her throne, blares of trumpets and fireworks display announced her reign and power over her entire dominion.