MY SARISARI STORE

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Warning. I will not show how the pigs are slaughtered but I will document the way the  pigs are roasted and how the lechon is finally sold in this colorful district.
Sensitive people, vegetarians and animal lovers may prefer to skip this series and visit again in about ten days to see my next series.

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La Loma district in Quezon city praise itself as being the lechon capital of the Philippines. Started by Mang Tomas in the early 50's his business got a lot of competitors. The other top lechon makers are Mila, Pingping, Lito, Aling Nene and Nelia to name a few.

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The most famous and popular dish of the Philippines is probably the lechon, which is prepared for fiestas, family celebrations (like parties and marriages) and also a favourite dish during Christmas time.
Lechon is the Spanish name for pig, in the Philippines it means a spit-roasted pig.
We also have the lechon baka (spit-roasted cow) and the lechon manok (spit-roasted chicken)
Lechon (in Tagalog litson) is a roasted whole pig cooked in charcoal. Lechon is prepared by stuffing the inside of the animal with herbs and vegetables. The pigs are slowly hand roasted on top of charcoal for hours till their skin turn reddish brown and the inside flesh becomes tender. The dish is often served with a thick liver sauce cooked with vinegar, sugar and herbs.

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This is the typical setting for a fiesta. A bottle of San Miguel gin, one glass, cold water to wash down the gin, cigarettes, some pulutan (finger food) and a group of barkada (friends).
Even total stangers (like me) are always invited to join the fun.

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and... some might end drinking too much.

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The fiesta is essentially thanksgiving: to the patron saint for intercession, to friends and neighbors for help and support through the year, and to God and nature for bounty and survival.

This is how I interpret what is happening here (please correct me if I am wrong). Some  prominent families throw  candies, cookies, shirts, bags and even camera's to the people in the street. During fiesta time people share their food and distribute a bit of their wealth with their townspeople.

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Another procession through the same neighbourhood.

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One of the many processions plying the streets of Barangay Kalawaan.

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This year, due to lack of money, the annual fluvial procession was reduced to a few boats and the raft carrying a giant crocodile.

The patroness of Barangay Kalawaan is St. Martha, considered the patron of cooks & washerwomen. For local people she is the patroness of duck-raisers. The fluvial procession is conducted with a pagoda carrying the image of Santa Martha stepping upon a crocodile. Her banca pulls another with a gigantic crocodile. On top of the crocodile is a bayani (hero) dancing while holding a bolo (sword).

Legend has it that it was Santa Martha who was dancing on top of the crocodile.