Highlights of the colorful 4th Makatapak Festival of Bacolor, Pampanga.
Photo by Ric Gonzales
BACOLOR, Pampanga – Catholic devotees and local officials led by Board Member Monina Laus joined the 4th Makatapak Festival on Saturday as they crossed the Gugu River where lahar flowed in 1995 destroying several villages in the historic town.
Fr. Jess Manabat, parish priest of San Guillermo Church, said the annual “festival is a celebration distinctly expressed by walking and dancing barefooted in a procession, nay, a pilgrimage defining our heritage, our faith and our experiences.” He disclosed that it was the first time on November 19 that the participants crossed the river.
“In the first three festivals, we only blessed the river and washed our feet and body,” he said.
Laus, a native of Barangay San Vicente, said “Makatapak means barefoot as residents – rich and poor – walked without sandals or shoes as they had to cross streets with muds during the destructive years of lahar flows spawned by Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption.”
For his part, Vice Mayor Jun Canlas said “it was like crossing the river Jordan as we professed our faith.” Mayor Jomar Hizon also joined the festival which started at Gugu and ended at San Guillermo.
Colorful costumes worn by young people from schools and villages joined the festival. The image of the Virgin Mary was carried by dancing devotees.
The festival is the center of the month-long activities highlighting the 225th La Naval celebration.
Andy Alviz of the ArtiSta.Rita is the musical director of the Makatapak which will feature ritual dance, bathe with lahar, street dancing, and food festival, among others. He composed the song entitled “Bacolor Mi Amor” dedicated to the festival.
The Centro Catolico de Bacolor led by its president Bob Henson helped organized the event.
