By Mayor Francis M. Zamora
METRO MATTERS
As President of the Metro Manila Council and the National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, I have come to appreciate that local festivals are more than cultural celebrations. Drawing from lessons and best practices shared by our sister cities, I have seen how festivals can preserve heritage while creating opportunities for growth.
This vision guided us in San Juan as we celebrated our Wattah! Wattah! Festival 2026.
As Mayor, I have always believed that tradition and progress should move forward hand in hand. This year’s festival demonstrated that a century-old celebration can remain faithful to its roots while evolving to meet the norms of a modern city.
Our festivities began on June 17, coinciding with the 19th Anniversary of San Juan’s Cityhood. Beyond celebration, the occasion became an opportunity to advance programs that matter to our people.
We awarded the winners of our “Cleanest Barangay" and "DIY Rainwater Catchment” initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability and encouraging communities to take an active role in protecting our environment.
We also strengthened access to healthcare through a Memorandum of Agreement with Cardinal Santos Medical Center through the Caring Keri Foundation for the PhilHealth Z Package, alongside our “Dugo ng San Juaneño, Para sa San Juaneño” bloodletting drive. Most notably, we launched the “Right to Care Card,” making San Juan one of the first local government units in the country to recognize the medical decision-making rights of members of the LGBTQIA+ community by allowing them to designate a healthcare proxy through a Special Power of Attorney.
The festival likewise served as a platform for economic growth. Through the Wattah! Wattah! Bazaar, our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were given opportunities to showcase their products and connect with residents and visitors, transforming tourism activity into tangible support for local businesses.
Throughout the week, San Juan celebrated the diversity of its people through activities that combined culture, sports, arts, and public service. These included the National Bonsai Exhibit, Hip-Hop Dance Competitions, the Mayor’s Cup volleyball and basketball finals, and “Diwataz Night,” which honored our LGBTQIA+ community while promoting public health through free HIV testing services.
Our traditions remained at the heart of our celebration. During the Kasalang Bayan, my wife Keri and I were honored to serve as Ninong and Ninang to couples beginning a new chapter in their lives. The Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist organized a Traslacion and Karakol parade in honor of St. John the Baptist. Even our beloved pets became part of the festivities through the “Pet Blessing and Eco Pawshionista 2026,” which highlighted creativity and environmental awareness.
For the first time, the festival was celebrated for two days, from June 23 to 24. June 23 featured the Cultural Performance Competition, Street Dance Competition, and Festival Queen Competition, while June 24 showcased the Santong Tao Float Competition, Barangay Booth Competition, our street party, concert and basaan, and the Fiesta Mass celebrated by Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.
Behind every successful festival is effective governance.
This year’s celebration was the result of careful planning, collaboration, and willingness to improve upon past practices. Through the implementation of City Ordinance No. 14, we established a designated “Basaan Zone” along Pinaglabanan Road. Rather than diminish the tradition, this approach allowed us to preserve its spirit while ensuring greater order and public safety.
By centralizing the activities within a clearly defined area and time frame, we ensured that those going to work or school, as well as those who preferred not to get wet, could remain dry, while those who wanted to take part in the traditional Basaan could fully enjoy the celebration within the designated Basaan Zone.
Implemented for the past two years, the Basaan Zone has successfully balanced tradition with public order, with zero reported violations since its implementation. More than 470 police personnel were deployed to help keep our celebration safe and secure while preserving the festive atmosphere that San Juan residents have long cherished.
The Department of Tourism’s “Love the Philippines” campaign reminds us of the richness of our culture and communities. Yet I believe we are also called to discover more reasons to love our own localities by supporting local enterprises, participating in community traditions, and celebrating the unique stories that define us.
This is why I continue to advocate for local festivals as instruments of governance and national building. They preserve cultural heritage, stimulate economic activity, strengthen social cohesion, and showcase the best of our communities. More importantly, they offer a blueprint for a Filipino fiesta that is world-class, inclusive, sustainable, and economically empowered.
I invite you to visit San Juan, but more importantly, I encourage you to explore the various festivals in the different provinces, cities, and municipalities all over the Philippines. By celebrating our identity and supporting our local economies, we contribute to a larger goal: building stronger communities and a stronger nation.
