UP Ibalon Bicol: Celebrating Baao Pintakasi 2009 in Las Vegas Nevada in style!

Celebrating Baao Pintakasi 2009 in Las Vegas Nevada in style!

8/13/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

by Augusto F. Mesia, M.D.

Before August 24, St. Bartholomew, the revered patron saint of Baao, Camarines Sur must be very happy. The itinerant apostle who traveled and evangelized near the coast of Caspian Sea, Persia, Armenia, Egypt, and as far as India was remembered early this year in America.

Before the feast day, in Las Vegas, his special memory was celebrated. Saint Bartholomew had been venerated not only by the Roman Catholic Church but by other Christian denominations such as the Eastern Christian Orthodox Church, the Coptic Christians, Anglicans, and Lutheran Churches.

In the 1st century, the martyred follower of Jesus was flayed and beheaded for his heroic Christian deeds. For that, Baaoenos had not forgotten to honor St. Bartholomew's valor, faith, and religious conviction. That was why last Saturday, August 8, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the fabulous Pintakasi 2009 pulled earlier than Baao's fiesta back home to glorify his name. A solemn mass officiated by three priests ushered in the affair.

The grand event with lots of surprises was attended by an eager crowd of Baaoenos and friends who traveled far and wide to join the fellowship that certainly had the trimmings of the traditional merry celebration of the Bicol town. A good number came to join the fun, but certainly, there were those who in their absence were sorely missed.

The feast started with a concelebrated thanksgiving prayer that united the attendees and set the festive tone of the grand occasion. In a capacious hall decorated by balloons, they gathered in intimate togetherness, partaking the food and joys of being glued as a community---bonded in ways that only they could ever fully express.

Pintakasi 2009 was particularly dazzling for not only did the day gather hundreds of spritely guests, friends and relatives, but it brought something impressively memorable in Baao’s name. The hosptality is immense. Young and old, they came to share camaraderie and spread around friendship in a place far removed from the quaint town of their origin in Camarines Sur.

Having seen familiar beautiful faces, those who attended huddled in animated “kurumustahan,” in what could be regarded as plain fun within the fleeting time frame of an action-filled weekend. Rinconada dialect must have been the hot currency of conversations which heightened the closeness of the Baao herd.

The hall had that electrifying buzz. Talented Baaoenos showcased their dances and songs. Some went for a refreshing deep in a pool with the children. Others cracked their novel “pangisihan” to the delight of the crowd.

There were those who were content sipping chilled wine in a friendly round table, thumping their feet to the candence of nearby music. A group laughed it out loud in the parlor games that brought winners and losers in an exciting competition of agility and wits.

The bright sun, nearer than usual to the hearts of many, drenched Nevada, sans nieve (snow) for which it was named, at the peak of summer---Surely, it was to the delight of those who came for the Pintakasi whose festive spirit had taken root on their senses.

The memories they brought home this year would hum in their thoughts like fine-tuned mellow music till the next fiesta brings them back again in a cycle of unity and goodwill. They will tag along their innocent children to add wonder and joy to the yearly tradition.(Photo Credits: Angel Martires, Tony Martires, Tess Salah) =0=