Wattah Wattah Festival
{{Short description|Filipino feast of John the Baptist}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Wattah Wattah Festival
| type = christian
| image = Wattah Wattah.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption =
| official_name =
| nickname = Basaan Festival
| observedby = San Juan, Metro Manila
| litcolor =
| longtype =
| significance = Feast of John the Baptist
| date = June 24
| duration = 1 day
| frequency = Annual
| scheduling = Same day each year
| celebrations =
| observances = Dousing of water to people
| relatedto =
}}
The Wattah Wattah Festival, also known as the Basaan Festival ({{literal translation|dousing of water}}), is the feast of John the Baptist, the patron saint of San Juan, Metro Manila, and many other communities across the Philippines. It is held every June 24.{{Cite news |last=Locus |first=Sundy |date=June 24, 2024 |title=San Juan City declares St. John the Baptist as patron saint |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/911036/san-juan-city-declares-st-john-the-baptist-as-patron-saint/story/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |publisher=GMA Integrated News}}
Customs
Filipinos commemorate the birth of John the Baptist, who cleansed and prepared the people for the coming of Jesus by baptizing them with water. Along with the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist's birthday is one of the few celebrated; most other saints are remembered on the day of their death or another significant date.{{Cite web |title=Pista ng San Juan |url=http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/pista_ng_san_juan.htm |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=www.seasite.niu.edu}}
{{Bibleverse|Matthew|3:11|KJV}} quotes Saint John as saying:
{{quote|"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire."}}
Children and adults alike line the streets and generously douse passersby or unsuspecting commuters and visitors with water in the traditional basaan (wetting of water) or buhusan (dousing of water) – supposedly to remind them of their baptism. They enjoy engaging in water wars and other wet games using dippers, pails, hoses, and water pistols. Older people may fill their ancient coconut shells with perfumed water to sprinkle on passersby. In rural areas, people swim at the beach, in a nearby river, or at a local spring, believing that a little exposure to water today, even just a sprinkle or splash, will bring God's blessings. This popular custom is practised as they recall Saint John's life and mission.
Filipinos from different parts of the country celebrate this feast in various ways. Four of the most popular celebrations are in Balayan, Batangas; Calumpit, Bulacan; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Cavite City; and San Juan, Metro Manila.
Criticism
The festival has earned the ire of several citizens living around San Juan in 2024. Reports of celebrants recklessly dousing workers, students, and even public vehicles with passengers passing through the area have been noted.{{Cite news |date=June 26, 2024 |title=Netizens dismayado: Basaan sa San Juan sumosobra na? |url=https://tnt.abante.com.ph/2024/06/26/netizens-dismayado-basaan-sa-san-juan-sumosobra-na/news/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=Abante Tonite |language=tl}} One such incident involved the hurling of muriatic acid on an unsuspecting bystander; the suspect has since been apprehended by local police and faces charges of physical injury.{{Cite news |last=Manabat |first=Johnson |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Rider who sprayed suspected acid during water festival faces raps |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/27/rider-who-sprayed-suspected-acid-during-water-festival-faces-raps-2217 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News}} The city government has since apologized and pledged to investigate the ensuing chaos.{{Cite news |last=Parungao |first=Adrian |date=June 27, 2024 |title=San Juan City probes reported 'Basaan 2024' chaos |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1955614/san-juan-city-probes-into-reported-chaos-during-basaan-2024 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}{{Cite news |date=June 28, 2024 |title=San Juan vows legal assistance for those affected by 'Basaan 2024' |url=https://qa.philstar.com/nation/2024/06/28/2366257/san-juan-vows-legal-assistance-those-affected-basaan-2024 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Philippine Star}}