?Libad na!? this Kapampangan term is often shouted during the 24th day of August, wherein the feast of St. Bartholomew is celebrated in our province in Pampanga. ?Libad? means procession in water. This is the most anticipated event during fiesta, especially for the visitors.
Way back then, when I wasn?t yet born, my mother once told me that the ?Libad? would take place in the river. San Bartolome or most commonly known as ?Apung Tulu? in our baranggay, was carried through a boat, and the people would also use boat in the procession. The procession was more solemn and peaceful. But when Mt. Pinatubo erupted, lava and flood came to our town affecting houses and livelihoods. The river drought, so the ?Libad? is now being held on land. During the past few years, when the feast day would come, flood is usually up to knee level. But it didn?t become a hindrance to celebrate fiesta and Libad. Moreover, the Libad became livelier because of flood. Devotees would pray the rosary; choirs would sing; the ?karo? of Apung Tulu is carried by strong men; the band would play; and most of the people joining the Libad, would dance and sing to the accompaniment of ati-atihan. And the other remarkable thing during Libad is the pouring of beer and splashing of water like that of feast of San Juan.
I remember when I was, I think 4 years old, my late father became the president of the fiesta. All I could remember then was that he invited a band to play during procession; he even bought a draft beer so that participants of Libad would have their glass be filled again with beer.
I also remember that I stayed late at night just to wait for the invited entertainers, some of which are actors and actresses. But since I was too young to stay awake at a very late night, I only had a glimpse of Ramon Zamora. Up to now, I really don?t know if Isabel Granada came because when I asked about her then, they said she came while some said she didn?t. Anyway, now, as we celebrate the f east day of our town, various events take place. ?Libad? is still practice, ati-atihan can be seen, and Miss Gay pageant is being held every year. These events contribute to the rehabilitation of what was once a flooded town.