Concerns Arise Over San Juan City’s Wattah Wattah Festival
WATTAH WATTAH FESTIVAL – The annual festival in San Juan City has come under scrutiny from netizens who argue that the event is causing significant inconvenience and distress to the public.
Celebrated in honor of St. John the Baptist, known locally as San Juan Bautista, the festival is famed for its vibrant water-splashing activities symbolizing purification and renewal. The term “Wattah Wattah” comes from the Filipino colloquial term “watah,” meaning water, which underscores the central theme of the festival.
Despite its cultural significance, recent festivities have sparked debate regarding the festival’s impact on non-participants. On June 24, 2024, Instagram user viralthingz99 posted a video showing festival-goers splashing water on unsuspecting motorists and jeepney passengers. The video quickly went viral, attracting a range of reactions from the online community. The caption of the post read, “Mas matindi ito Go, San Juan City! Ganito pala IBANG residente niyo. #SANJUAN #wattahwattah #trending #viral #fyp,” suggesting that the behavior of some participants was more extreme than usual.
Many netizens expressed their dismay and frustration, arguing that the festival should be conducted in a manner that respects those who do not wish to participate. They emphasized the need for consideration for people who are simply trying to go about their daily activities without being soaked unexpectedly. One commenter expressed concern about the situation escalating, emphasizing people’s right to go about their day without getting wet.
Concerns were also raised about the role of local officials in regulating the festival’s activities. Some netizens questioned the lack of enforcement of guidelines to prevent such inconveniences. A previous incident reported by passengers involved water being splashed inside a jeepney, further highlighting the issue. Another commenter called for local officials to take action and regulate activities to prevent such inconveniences from occurring.