Wattah Wattah Festival 2025 Celebration Highlights Discipline
MANILA, Philippines — San Juan City’s annual Wattah Wattah Festival 2025 celebration unfolded with remarkable discipline, local leaders noted. The city’s beloved tradition of splashing water to honor the feast of Saint John the Baptist was conducted smoothly and peacefully this year.
Last year, the event faced criticism due to unruly behavior and disorderly incidents that marred the festivities. However, this year’s celebration reflected a more controlled and respectful atmosphere. Mayor Francis Zamora expressed pride in the cooperative spirit of residents, visitors, and city officials.
“As of 2 p.m., there are no untoward incidents of passersby getting doused with water by fiesta-goers, a far cry from last year’s events,” Zamora said in a statement, underscoring the successful enforcement of guidelines during the festival.
Strict Measures Ensure Safe Festivities
To maintain order, the local government implemented an ordinance restricting the water dousing activity to a designated section of Pinaglabanan Road, permitting it only between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. This regulation aimed to minimize disruptions and ensure public safety during the vibrant celebration.
Authorities reported five ordinance violations, three cases of public disturbance, and several lost-and-found incidents throughout the event. Additionally, a missing person case was promptly resolved by city officials.
Health and Safety Services Respond During Festival
Medical teams treated eight individuals for heat exhaustion and eight others for minor injuries. Two more attendees received care for shortness of breath, reflecting the city’s readiness to respond to health concerns during large gatherings.
Despite the overall peaceful celebration, the local police reported a brawl involving two groups of teenagers, resulting in a 17-year-old boy being injured. According to reports, most involved youths were from Santa Mesa, not San Juan City residents.
Mayor Zamora highlighted that the City Social Welfare and Development Office confirmed the majority of the youth involved in the altercation were visitors, emphasizing the city’s commitment to maintaining peace and order.
Overall, the Wattah Wattah Festival 2025 celebration demonstrated how community cooperation and strategic planning can preserve tradition while ensuring safety and respect for all participants.
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