Photos c/o : http://pintakasi1521.blogspot.com
According to old Caviteños,
the celebration of the Cavite Fiesta reached its height of grandeur and
magnificence during the administration of Don Juan Salcedo y Mantilla de los
Rios in 1880 to 1886. The suffering brought about by the cholera epidemic in
1882 was so great that the governor postponed the celebration of the fiesta
until the puerto had recovered. On January 20-21, 1883 complying with the
request of the old Lady, Governor Salcedo sent a circular to all the principalias of the province to participate
on the said fiesta. The jubilant tollng of the bells of the different churches
of the Puerto and the booming salvos of cannons from the Rotal of San Felipe
ushered the day of the fiesta. Then came the gobernadorcillos of all the towns
of Cavite together with their respective town officials composed of teniente mayors,
jefes de policies, ganados, sementeras, tenientes 20, tenienetes 30, cabezas de
barangay and aguancilles all garbed in their colorful uniforms as prescribed by
their ranks. Accompanying theses officials were their town brass band.
All the streets of the Puerto
had colorful arches. Banderitas or multicolored buntings hung on the streets.
There were effigies of celebrated historical and war personalities. The Calle
Real glowed with crystal and other lanterns of different colors called globos:
virina and bombas. Streets leading to the Ermita were lined with with
temporary stores where edibles such as small singkamas boiled in brown syrup,
candies, rice cakes, corn puddings and other native delicacies, fruits
consisting of naranjitas from Calamba, peanuts, manzanitas, lansones, lomboy
and apulit were sold, while ice cream vendors from Manila were stationed along
the Porta Vaga wall, near the Potable Water deposit. There, they made ice cream
in garrapinera de lata. Every visitor never missed the famous mamones of
Panderia de Nora Chorang Gonzales and the sumptuous tamales of Nol Domingo
Matias. There were also fondas restaurants and rowing refrescos.
On the day pf the fiesta,
every household set a lavish table outshining the Christmas spread. The Caviteños
well-known fondness for good food and fancy for delectable, high-seasoned
Spanish guisine would almos be an envy of a king. On the tables of well-off
Caviteños were gastronomical delights like paella, arroz ala Valenciana, cocido
Madrileno, callos, sopas de ajo ala Castellana, morcon, embutido, estofado de
lengua, pochero, pastel de tortillas and many more.
In the afternoon civic
parade, there were gigantes made of bamboo dressed in carnival attire. Inside
were men that made them move, There were also the juego de toro held in the
improvise bull fight arena at the Plaza de Armas. Other native games like juego
de anillo, carrera de saco and regattas were held. The military had their
exhibitions too.
The highlight of the fiesta
was the magnificent procession of the Virgen de la Soledad.
The route of the
procession were not only brightly-lighted but carpeted with expensive rugs and
were covered overhead by canvasses and sails of boats to protect the
participants from getting wet in case of rain. At the joyous pealing of the
bells of the Ermita the Virgen dela Soledad, borne on a silver carroza, would
be ushered out of the chapel. On top of the frame was a golden dove
representing the Holy Spirit. There were six silver angels with their faces and
hands made of ivory.
Eight other smaller angles
were in the lower part of the carroza. Each angel had a silver laurel on his
hand. Twenty four silver ramitas and forty eight ramilletes served as flower decorations
for the carroza. Cords were tied on each side of the carroza. Each cord was
held by six sacristans who served as guards of honor as well. There were six
campanillas tied up on each cord. The fie sound of campanillas would be heard
as they dangled, announcing the approaching carroza of the Virgin. Before the
Virgin was brought inside the church, her conversation with the soldier at
Porta Vaga would ne reenacted. The day of the fiesta ended wth a display of fireworks.
Photos c/o : http://vsoledaddeportavaga.weebly.com
Genoveva Edroza, a writer in Filipino, stated that the grandiose
celebration of the fiesta of San Diego in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere was actually
based in the fiesta celebration of Cavite.
Source:
Cavite: Culture e Historia
Edited by: Teresita P. Unabia
Victor Immanuel R. Cuarto
