By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang has declared June 24 a special non-working day in the City of San Juan in celebration of its Wattah! Wattah! Festival.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of San Juan be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebrations,” read Proclamation No. 929, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 13.
A copy of the proclamation was made public on Tuesday, June 17.
The Wattah! Wattah! Festival is an annual celebration in honor of the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, a revered figure in Catholicism who baptized Jesus Christ.
Children and adults alike line the streets and generously douse passersby or unsuspecting commuters and visitors with water – supposedly to remind them of their baptism.
Last year, videos circulated on social media showed residents harassing motorists and passersby, dousing them without consent, and damaging belongings, including gadgets and important documents.
The City Government of San Juan apologized for the event’s turnout and said that some adjustments would be implemented in the future for the annual observance, including designating an area for the traditional dousing of water or “basaan”. (PNA)
