Parada ng Lechon: The Most Celebrated Festival in Batangas

The Parada ng Lechon (roasted pig parade) a festival you must

see in Balayan Batangas. The celebration is held annually on

 June 24, and the feast day of San Juan (Saint John the Baptist).

Parada ng Lechon is a unique parade of decorated roasted pigs.

This year, there were about a hundred lechon that paraded

along the street leading to the town church. The roasted pigs

were dressed according to the theme of the participating groups.

It was truly fun to see lechons dressed as a basketball player,

a beauty queen, a motorcycle driver, among many others.

Lechon is one of Batangas delicacy, and even in other

 provinces in the Philippines. It’s a main dish most

 batagueños have for celebrations or fiestas. According

 to the old villager, lechon was served before the Spanish

 arrived in the Philippines. The dish became a symbol of

 Batangas tradition to serve lechon during celebrations.

Preparing the Pig for the Parade

The pig is placed on a spit, charcoal placed on the side of the pig,

in a roasting pit. The pig is baked, while wiping the skin with brush

made of leaves with water and the pigs own oil or fat. This

procedure makes the skin crispy, and roasting it for at least 5 hours.

Now it’s time to dress the lechon. The dress will depend on the theme

the social organization has chosen for the annual event. After

dressing the pig, clear plastic is wrapped around the pig to prevent

the lechon to get wet during the parade.

When the lechons are ready, they are brought to the church

of Immaculate Conception. Participating lechons or roasted pigs

will line up the church patio while a mass is being celebrated

and blessed in honor of St. John the Baptist.

Dousing of water during the festival is to signify the baptism of

Jesus by St. John the Baptist. The festival is a religious ceremony

for the villagers of Balayan. It also gives a place for trade-off to happen.

Now, the parade and merry making starts on the streets of Balayan.

While the parade pass by the streets, bystanders will drench the

participants with water. Bystanders are even free to take a piece

of the lechon while on parade. These make the occasion exciting and extraordinary.

When the parade is over. It is now time to munch the lechons,

a celebration of drinking and feasting follows all through out the day.

But be extra careful, the lechon is rich with cholesterol and might

put your health into trouble.