The fiesta usually begins with a solemn celebration of the Mass at the church, with special music by the band or orchestra in addition to the choir and organ. When the service is over, the people move about over the plaza (plä′-zä), or public square, greeting their friends and enjoying conversation. At noon, the priest serves an elaborate dinner to the important men of the town and to the distinguished visitors, while in the various homes, people are entertaining their friends with the best their tables afford. After dinner is over and all have rested awhile, games and sports of various kinds are witnessed,—races around the plaza, jumping, wrestling, ball games, and other feats of skill or strength, while those who are so disposed go to the cockpit for the afternoon.
Church in Albay
At night it is customary for the presidente (prĕs-ĭ-dĕn′-tĕ), or mayor, of the town to give a grand baile (bäĭ′-le), or dance, to which nearly every one is invited. The largest hall in the town is secured and lavishly decorated with flags, palm leaves, bamboo stems, and bright flowers. The floor is polished until it fairly shines, a long table groans under the weight of rice, chicken, ham, roast goat, bananas, and sweets of various sorts, an orchestra or band is hired, and all is ready for the event. About eight-thirty or nine o’clock a throng of señores (se̱n-yō′-res̝), señoras (se̱n-yō′-räs), and señoritas (sēn-yō-re͞e′-täs) (which means gentlemen, married ladies, and young ladies) arrive, dressed in their finest clothes and ready to enjoy the music, the dancing, and the refreshments until a late hour. The waltz, two-step, and Virginia reel are very much in favor, and a dignified Spanish dance called the rigodon (rĭ′-gō-dōn), with complicated figures and graceful steps, is also popular.
Bamboo Band
Every town has its musicians, and often excellent music is made by a group of bare-footed players whom you would hardly suspect of being skilled in anything. Sometimes when better instruments cannot be secured, the boys organize a bamboo band; generally, however, the instruments are those which are commonly used the world over. The great Constabulary Band of Manila, conducted by an American negro, Captain W. H. Loving, ranks among the first musical organizations of the world and has several times made tours in the United States.
Filipinos are very fond of plays. In Manila there is a large Grand Opera House, and many outlying towns have their teatros (te̱-ä′-trōs), or theaters; but in the smaller places where this is not possible, plays are given at night in some public square, without stage, scenery, or costumes. The characters include kings, queens, knights, servants, and even bears or other animals, all of whom recite their lines to the great delight of a circle of onlookers who squat upon the ground holding candles or lamps in order to see the play. At Christmas time, bands of singers and dancers go from house to house, entertaining the public and passing the hat for gifts when the program is finished.
These are a few of the pleasures which Francisco and his friends enjoyed. It is true that some of their work was very hard and disagreeable while it lasted, but the climate and soil of the Philippines are so favorable that even the most industrious people have a great deal of leisure time in which to enjoy life. Francisco’s grandfather had a great fund of stories, and he loved to collect a crowd of children about him and entertain them with one tale after another. The following story of “The Three Sisters” was a general favorite:
