Banquets and Festivals: Revisiting the Filipino Culture

The study primarily aimed to explore and understand the banquets’ social and psychological functions during the Tig- Aw festival in Tigaon Camarines Sur as part of Partido culture. Specifically, it aimed to describe the Social Structure and Heirarchy, Economic and Subsistence Patterns, Religion and Ritual, and Cultural Identity and Nationalism. A qualitative study, it employed an ethnographic research method which yielded insightful responses from the 10 participants of the study. The study found out that festivals and banquets serve as multifaceted cultural expressions that transcend mere celebration. They embody social order, tradition, and power through symbolic rituals such as seating arrangements and food presentation, while also offering spaces for unity and cultural exchange. For communities like the Tigaoeños, these gatherings reflect economic resilience and resourcefulness, revealing how local subsistence practices shape communal identity. Rooted in sacred traditions, religious festivals foster spiritual reflection and reinforce social bonds, becoming enduring legacies of belief and connection. Simultaneously, these events act as vessels of cultural identity and nationalism, preserving heritage through commemorations, cuisine, and performance. Together, festivals and banquets illuminate the evolving dynamics of society, economy, faith, and nationhood.