This file photo shows a family getting wet from merrymakers in 2014’s Wattah-Wattah Festival in San Juan, the city’s way of celebrating the feast of St. John the Baptist. INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — People who were affected by the controversial annual “Basaan” in San Juan City took to social media to air their frustrations.
According to some social media netizens, the tradition should be put on hold as it causes massive inconvenience to those who happen to pass by the city, even if they were not taking part in the festivities.
READ: ‘Victims’ of ‘Basaan 2024’ urged to file case at San Juan prosecutor’s office
“Kung gusto nyong maligo dahil tradition nyo…hwag nyo nman pong idamay ang mga commuters! Yung iba jan sa work ang punta, yung iba my ka appointment. Hindi ko maimagine ang inconvenience na dulot sa nadadamay nyo!” a social media user’s comment read.
(If you want to douse water because of your tradition, don’t affect the commuters! The others have to go to work, others have appointments. I can’t imagine the inconvenience that you cause to others!.)
“The government of San Juan should regulate this ‘Wattah Wattah Festival’ in order to avoid inconvenience to other people… Also the church must educate about the significance of these religious festivities especially the life of St. John the Baptist to our salvation…Hindi lang puro basahan but the meaning of the celebration,” another added.
(The government of San Juan should regulate this “Wattah Wattah Festival” in order to avoid inconvenience to other people.. Also the church must educate about the significance of these religious festivities especially the life of St. John the Baptist to our salvation… It’s not all about dousing water, but the meaning of the celebration.)
Meanwhile, a Reddit post narrated how some participants allegedly blocked a jeepney from passing while others splashed water on the driver.
Other students who were inside the passenger jeepney were also seen crying because most of them were carrying academic documents.
“Pinigilan nila yung jeep namin. Gusto na silang banggain ng driver pero binuhusan nila bigla ng isang tabong tubig sa mukha yung driver. Buti nga hindi nya naapakan yung pedal dahil baka may mas malaking aksidente pang nangyari,” the user said.
(They blocked our jeepney. The driver wanted to run them over but they doused him with a dipper-full of water. It’s fortunate that the driver did not accelerate because that could have been a huge accident.)
“Yung mga students na kasabay ko, walang nagawa kundi umiyak na lang. Yung mga documents na hawak nila ay basang-basa. Magpapasa sana sila ng requirements for university pero yung school card, good moral, diploma, at birth certificates nila ay nabasa,” the post added.
Others also blamed the behavior of unruly participants who doused passersby with water even if they were dressed for work.
Some locals even climbed on the hood of a taxicab while some of his companions tried to open the door.
A video of a man dousing a motorcycle rider with a water gun while making a mocking face also made rounds on social media, gaining the ire of netizens.
The local government of San Juan City has apologized for these incidents and said that it will go after those who caused inconveniences, and urged people with evidence to file them.
READ: San Juan City probes reported ‘Basaan 2024’ chaos
The Basaan is an event in San Juan for the feast day of St. John the Baptist on June 24.