Philippine Independence Day Picnic 2019 in the Netherlands cancelled due to heavy storm
By Angel Axinto
Spaarnwoude-Houtrak,
Amsterdam-The Netherlands
June 15, 2019
For the very first time in the history of Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Netherlands, they have to cancel the Philippine Independence Day picnic due to very heavy storm. After months of planning and preparation, everything was set in place, all things that needs to be done has been done. The ’things to do check list’ is complete.
With heavy downpour of rain, anything will do as shelter; no matter what happens the barbecue grill must not be wet; visitors dropping by to join this craziness….but we are all enjoying this regardless!
The organizers, volunteers, performers, special guests, vendors, security guards etc etc - they are ready and enthusiastic for the big day. Everybody was looking forward to another Philippine Independence Day picnic, it’s gonna be another fantastic celebration just like the years before.……but wait the weather is not looking good.
Saturdays forecast – moderate to severe storm.
Archive photo: Last years KFFN Philippine Independence Day Picnic with special guests Janno Gibbs, wife Bing Loyzaga and daughter….Take note of the podium and the gigantic amount of people during the celebration. All this will not survive the heavy storm.…..lives are at stake…..the festivity must be cancelled.
In a country where the weather could abruptly change in minutes, although a severe storm was forecast, we never thought it would be this strong. We had this before - it rained cats and dogs in the morning and after 2 hours the sun came out. The. But not this time…..this time the wind is a killing factor and the risk must not be taken. With a heavy heart, KFFN has to bow to the involved local government agencies’ decision not to proceed with the event.
(L-R) Enthusiastic jubilee makers started arriving early morning; the Philippine flag waving proudly; BISDAK group seems unmoved by the very strong winds.
The night before, the organizer Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation in Netherland (KFFN), made a last minute precautionary advice urging the people to make sure that their tents are extra secured so as not to be blown away by the hard wind that the storm brings.
People heeded the advice but noticed that the wind is too strong for the tents to be put up, so some had to dismantle it.
The Bisayang Dako sa Netherlands (BISDAK ), decided to fold the tent, hide the flag, put up the table , spread the food, turn the music on and started barbecuing . It’s celebration time!
(Bottom: Left photo) The Philippine Ambassadors’ convoy escorted by a police car on their way out of the picnic site; people started leaving the area after hearing that the bad news.
At around 10:00 A.M., the final decision to cancel the Phil. Independence Day picnic was released and boy, were we dumbstruck. This has never happened before, but then again, we had never this extreme weather before during any of the past Independence day picnics. But knowing that the weather will get worse starting noon we fully agree, it was a wise decision.
With the wind blowing from 50-61 kilometers per hour, the entire stage construction with all the sound systems, wirings and cables could easily be uprooted and blown away. Not to mention the emcees and performers on stage…..one could just imagine the horror of what could possibly happen.
The first to come and warned us of the danger of staying, is this lady Red Cross volunteer (bottom, left photo in red jacket). But the rain stopped and we jumped with joy!
But for some of us the celebration continues. We have prepared for this very special day months before and no storm is going to stop us. As Filipinos we must commemorate and rejoice the Freedom that we now enjoy. We owed it
to our forefathers who fought and died so that we may be free.
And no matter what, we are determined to mark our 121st Independence Day today!
Unmoved by the advice of upcoming stronger winds, some handful groups of people decided to stay much longer and brave the storm. With nothing to shield them from the rain, diehard BISDAK group lingered and kept on barbecuing not only for themselves but for those who came without anything to eat at all. Late comers were surprised to see the picnic site empty, they were not prepared for this.
They drove for hours to attend the picnic like they used to every year, it came as a shock.…Now they are wet, cold and hungry……but we are there for them.
The only people that were left still barbecuing despite rain and the warnings to leave, was the BISDAK group.
There were not many people left, but those who were still there were invited to join,
have fun and partake in the bountiful food ….after all it’s fiesta time!!!!
Feeling the heavy rain and severity of the wind that is blowing everything on the table away, for our own safety we decided to call it quits. Police officers, firemen and Red Cross workers who were ready for any eventuality is giving us the last warning…..we ourselves realized it’s getting too dangerous for us to stay. Soaking wet and cold yet genuinely happy, we packed our things and head for home.
This is one very uniquely memorable Philippine Independence Day picnic. A toast to those who braved the storm and carried on celebrating the 121st Freedom day in Spaarnwoude Houtrak, The Netherlands.
Everybody felt the steadfastness, generosity and hospitality of the Filipinos in times like this.
HAPPY 121st PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!! MABUHAY ANG PILIPINO!!!
On behalf of the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation in Netherlands , thank you for understanding. See you all next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Photo’s courtesy of: Jerome Deraco and Ceesjhan Mier Araula
(Below is the KFFN open letter to our kababayans explaining the reason for the
cancellation of the June 8, 2019 Philippine Independence Picnic)
