DIGITAL ART BY Jen Sebandal.
"Arat, ngat kita ha peryahan!" a voice next to me shouts. It was one of my classmates yet again convincing every single person from our class to go to the latest attraction in the city. People from everywhere get excited when they hear those words, imagining the joyous sound of music playing throughout the carnival, the squeals of joy or fear piercing their ears, and the memories created within the place.
Fiestas have always been the cause of gatherings in the Philippines. Whether it be because of patron saints, plants, flowers or animals, there won't ever be a dull month in the country. Of course, who can ever forget the food?
Stalls were set up within the area and acoustic bands from all over the city played songs to entertain the crowd. The smell of barbeque wafted trough the air and the sound of people chattering was heard. In the distance, you can hear a kid crying because of a balloon that was now high up in the air.
After two years of not experiencing the excitement of fiestas and people strolling freely around the grounds of where the carnival stood, this was a nice scenery for a change. Instead of being holed up inside a house with no one to talk to, I was surrounded by my friends and having a fun time. Everything about this seemed so surreal because I became so used to laying down in bed all day long with nothing to do.
Lights of every color reflected the metallic surfaces, making everything seem brighter than they usually are. I knew that this was going to be a great night.
I truly loved the atmosphere as I wandered around and saw the amusing faces of the people getting off of the extreme rides. I glanced over to my friends as they prattled away deciding on what ride should we go on first. The ferris-wheel? The octopus ride? Or the vikings? Maybe the bumpy cars? Too many options, honestly.
After few minutes of debate, we ended up in a barbeque stall seeing as we were already starving before we even arrived. While we ate, each one of us casted our votes on what we are going to do next. The rides were our first priority.
We hurriedly finished our food, rushing to our desired destination and had one of the best nights of our lives. We felt joyous and out of misery, not caring about the consequences of staying up late on a school night. It was these fleeting moments that matters the most.
We laughed, we played, we acted as though we hadn’t been confined in our houses for more than a year. Messing around and going crazy with the rides was obviously going to be the ideal temporary escape when the carnival finally opened.
Excitedly pushing our way through the crowd, my friends and I giggled like maniacs as we paid for our tickets for the ferris-wheel ride. Yes, the price was worth it because the moment we were at the top, a gentle breeze brushed by us. Seeing all the bustling life down there was amazing. It truly was a spectacular view, making out all the little gestures the people made for each other and their body language saying they either want to go home or stay for a bit longer.
However, as we descended from the steps of the ride, it was when we realized we had to say our goodbyes. A moment of sadness washed over me as I hugged my friends, knowing that tomorrow will make us face the weight of reality.
The carnival is, beyond any doubt, a mandatory experience due to it's unparalleled fun. Not only is it for kids, it can be for people of all ages. Everybody is welcome.
So when the next invitation of "Arat, ngat kita ha peryahan!" comes, indulge in it. Because it only comes once a year and you'll never know what festivities and core memories will be in store for you.
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