Bantayan’s ‘Isla Music Festival’ is out of tune

BAÑOC

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

I planned something unique for this year’s Holy Week. I intended to spend my meditation in Bantayan Island, Cebu, so that at the same time I could see the well-known white beaches and pristine water in the area that are testaments to the wonders of God’s creation.

On Good Friday, I plan to go to churches in Bantayan to observe how locals celebrate the passion of Christ which I heard is different from the rest of the Catholic faithful. At least, after going to church I could go to the beach, feel the serenity that nature provides and make some reflections.

However, Bro. Soc Fernandez, president of the Catholic Faith Defenders, reminded me of our yearly “Siete Palabras” activities in Talisay City. I attempted to decline, but Bro. Soc convinced me to deliver the sixth word of Christ this coming Good Friday. I was unable to refuse anymore, so I said yes. In short, my unique vacation plan is canceled.

I think that like me, tourists, be they foreign or local, want to visit Bantayan Island during the Holy Week primarily because of the God-given beautiful beaches in the area and to at least give themselves a break from the breakneck pace of city life. It would be a fruitful vacation because visitors can also find a church for reflections during the holy days.

For this reason, the claim of Mayor Jose Esgana of Santa Fe to insist on holding an activity tagged as “Isla Music Festival” during Holy Week to attract tourists in the area is far-fetched. Tourists have been visiting the island even before Esgana was born. Esgana should realize that when we visit other countries or other places, we normally respect the religion, customs and traditions of the people in the area. Accordingly, when tourists visit Bantayan, they are also expected to do the same. Why insist on merriment at a time when his constituents are commemorating the death of Christ? Why is there a need to make war with a priest who is only concerned with preserving the solemnity of the commemoration?

I would like to emphasize that both Roman Catholic and the Philippine Independent Church, otherwise known as “Aglipay,” are one in opposing the mayor’s plan to hold a festival that could pose a serious conflict of the supposedly solemn sacred commemoration. Both Fr. Roy Bucag of Roman Catholicism and Fr. Mariano Carabio of Aglipay Church had expressed their mutual concerns.

I managed to get a copy of the minutes of the Santa Fe Municipal Council regular session held on March 13, 2017, and the following significant matters transpired, to wit:

“1. Fr. Roy Bucag had appeared and clarified with the august Body the activity during the Holy Week which is the Isla Music and Food Fashion Festival. He informed of the august body of his hope that the dates of the said festival will still be negotiated and eventually changed because the days that compromise the holy week are very sacred.

“2. Fr. Marciano Carabio, of the Aglipay church, informed the Body those (sic) three (3) days ago, he was able to see the streamers bearing the advertisement “isla music and food fashion festival.”

“He further said that Sta. Fe might become a fashion town even during holy week which is supposed to be solemn and the minds of the people should be in the celebration.

“He expressed his trust to the august Body that it will support and consider the decision of the church.”

(Santa Fe, Sangguniang Bayan MINUTES NO. 10-2017)

Esagana’s repeated reason about “tourists” is also questionable because he did not even coordinate with the officials in his town who are in charge of tourism. In the same minutes, it further states:

“19. Hon. Mary Greleigh Cabrera asked Hon. Alex Pacana, Chair on Tourism, if he knows this one or if he was able to attend any meeting conducted on this regard.

“20. Hon. Alex Pacana answered that he never attended any meeting on the said matter.

“21. Hon. Roel Cabrera inquired Mrs. Melanie Layao, Tourism Officer, if she knows this one or was she able to attend any meeting on this regard.

“22. Mrs. Layao replied that she never knew this one, but two weeks ago she was surprised to know that there is already a special permit granted to the permittee for the said festival. She further said that before, all activities during the holy week would pass through the tourism office.”

Esgana also mentioned about the opportunity of money making during that time. I do not want to judge, but I cannot stop to remember that money was also the reason for Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of his master.

Esgana, who has just served a suspension by the Ombudsman for being “arrogant,” should be a little thankful that Catholics who are the majority in his town are not inclined to violence when their dearly held religious beliefs are mocked, directly or indirectly.

Holy Week is a time for reflection. True, Jesus died once, but we need to commemorate. Otherwise, His death will forever be forgotten. We mourn when there is death, much more so, if it is the death of our God, who died for us sinners.