THE DAY AFTER SUNDAY

Oftentimes Disturbing
By Reymundo Salao

One by one, the speakers of the many sound systems die out into silence, and moments later, the sounds of disco and revel music is gradually replaced by only the sounds of those who get on with their drinking, and the people who gather to go home. And as the clock is ticking without the music, and the sunrise only moments away, the drunkards will descend into slumber. The vendors gather their profits and pull out their calculators, while those who rented the sidewalk for a street booth, dismantle their little constructions of roof and fence in the most tiresome manner. This year's Dinagyang is over. But it never is the end.

At the end of every annual Dinagyang festival, is a preparation for the next. A year's preparation and study, what were the aspects that worked and didn't work. The manner of being a bit too strict with access. Was it effective? It was a bit too strict that the media raised their blood pressures as local policies blocked their way. Literally, so to speak. On the other hand, the strict policies were able to provide a reliable sense of security, as many of our policemen were patrolling and strolling, and was able to make check-ups on the people who passed by upon some designated areas. For some, it may have been offensive and disrupted the party spirit and mood, but it surely is for the good and for the security of all. There are so many things that can be put upon the checklist to review and analyze, making sure that the event of the years to come would be a better one.

Monday mornings, and this upcoming week would be a bluish simplistic one. Many will have hangovers, wishing the fests were still a weeklong from over. But surely, we must change back to our work-faces and get on with our lives. Getting on with our lives, foreigners and visitors would surely see how Iloilo transforms back to its simple, and humble identity. Iloilo may be like a party monster Mr. Hyde on Dinagyang season, but what it really is, is a quiet Dr. Jekyll. That's not to say that it is boring, but to say that it is, in a literal way of putting it, ---COOL. But we must continue to let our city shine in it's simplistic beauty, especially now that Iloilo is a place that foreigners and visitors will visit, in preparation for what is considered the next stop for tourists, which are the beaches. Particularly, that of Guimaras and Boracay.

On the other hand, many Ilonggos will surely continue to recaffeinate themselves, getting over the hangover. I was right when I said that it is as if the demure Ilonggos save up their energies and resources, up until the Dinagyang season, when they party hard. I'm sure many will say to themselves "Man! Did I party last Sunday!"