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To ensure a peaceful 2026 celebration, San Juan City implemented strict rules for its annual Wattah! Wattah! Festival on Wednesday,
In Oscar Oida’s report on 24 Oras, the city established a “basaan zone” (dousing zone) along the stretch of Pinaglabanan Road from the corners of P. Guevarra and N. Domingo Streets where people were allowed to douse each other with water. Residents caught violating would be subjected to a fine.
“Ito po ay isang responsible na pagbabasa sa isa’t isa so responsible na basaan po ang ating ipapatupad sapagkat all areas outside the basaan zone ay bawal pong mambasa,” said San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora.
(This is a responsible observance for everyone so all dousing water outside the basaan zone is not allowed.)
Also prohibited were the use of dirty water, water bombs and high pressure hoses. Participants were also not allowed to open the windows of passing vehicles.
Zamora said violators would be meted a P5,000 fine and could be imprisoned for up to 10 days.
San Juan celebrates the Wattah! Wattah! Festival to honor the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint. Celebrated every June 24, the highlight of the festival is the water dousing, which symbolizes purification, renewal, and the biblical act of Jesus Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan, the city government said.
To ensure that the rules were observed 500 police officers were deployed around the city.
Despite the stricter measures, many San Juan residents participated in the tradition– from a water gun-toting grandmother, a couple who brought their pets and persons with disabilities.
The San Juan City police said this year’s festival was generally peaceful. —RF, GMA News
