Batangas: Parada ng Lechon Fiesta ng Balayan (Schedule, How to Get There, Tips)

Celebrated annually in the town of Balayan, Batangas on June 24th, the feast day of John the Baptist, Parada ng Lechon fiesta has the unique combination of roasted pigs paraded around town on colorful carrozas and makeshift vehicles while people and spectators splash water on one another, some sort of emulation of St. John baptising Jesus before the start in the river Jordan.

Pictures of Parada ng Lechon, Balayan, Batangas
(a bit hazy, taken with an iPhone 4S wrapped in ziplock to protect it from water)

Parade participants and spectators splash water on one another

the float of MacDonalds with yellow and orange baloons

a nice roasted pig with shades hat and wig costume

roast pig pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

Parada ng Lechon:
Schedule of Parade (start): June 24 around 9am (probably after the mass at Balayan Church (Parish of St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista)

Travel Tips:

1. If you have your own vehicle, be there early as you will just get stuck in heavy traffic and won't enjoy the celebration.
2. Bring extra clothes as you will get wet, unless you will just witness the parade from afar or inside your car
3. Protect your gadgets with plastic bags or ziplock
4. Recommend a waterproof camera if you have or just use plastic cover/case for your camera
5. Don't get angry when you get wet, you went there so you at least expect to get wet
6. Close your car window, even of the highway, you may be surprised some kids and people splash water on passing vehicles

How to Get to Balayan, Batangas:

If you intend to commute to Balayan, there are buses on EDSA, Cubao or taft Avenue corner Buendia to take you directly to Balayan. There are vans/fx/shuttle service to Balayan on Zamora St at the back of Kabayan Hotel near Metropoint Mall at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay (fare: PhP180.00) with travel time of about 3 hours via Tagaytay.

Driving directions to Balayan, from Makati, take SLEx then exit at Sta. Rosa, pass by Tagaytay, turn right at the end of Tagaytay - Sta. Rosa road, drive all the way until you reach the junction of the road the either go to nasugbu or Balayan. Turn left to get to Balayan then turn right to Balayan main road.

Other Water Festivals in the Philippines:
Basaan San Juan Water Festival
Salibanda Festival of Paete, Laguna

Note:
pictures taken during parada ng lechon 2012, almost a year of backlog of Tutubi