Zambales village holds low-key feast of patron saint, bars visitors

In this file photo taken in 2016, Barangay San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales celebrates its bounty by staging the “Pusit Festival” alongside the feast of St. Michael Archangel. The festival had to be canceled due to the pandemic, forcing the village to hold scaled-down activities for the feast of its patron saint. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales –– Visitors are barred from entering Barangay San Miguel here as it celebrates its annual fiesta on Friday and Saturday, officials said.

Most of the usual activities for the event had been canceled as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

Village officials resolved that the feast of St. Michael Archangel would have scaled-down activities. These include a fluvial parade, a Mass, and a motorcade.

Health protocols would be strictly observed, officials said.

The “Pusit (squid) Festival,” which also coincides with the feast of the village patron saint, had been canceled.

The Pusit Festival used to draw visitors from different provinces, but this had to be canceled due to the pandemic. INQ

LZB