What to expect in San Juan City's 2025 Wattah! Wattah! Festival
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora imposed additional restrictions for the city's annual Wattah! Wattah! Festival on June 24.
In a press conference on June 18 streamed on Facebook, Zamora announced San Juan City Ordinance No. 14, series of 2025, which is more stringent than City Ordinance No. 51, series of 2018.
Under the new ordinance, "basaan" or dousing of water on another person may only be done inside the designated "basaan zone" along Pinaglabanan Road between N. Domingo and P. Gueverra Streets, and in the Pinaglabanan Shrine, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Basaan won't be allowed elsewhere.
The 2018 ordinance didn't have such a zone, but basaan activities had a shorter time, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Zamora noted that, like the past ordinance, participants may not use dirty water, water contained in an ice or plastic bag (water bomb), or water in plastic or glass bottles. They may also not threaten or harm individuals. The new ordinance also prohibits pressurized water sprayers moving forward.
Forcibly opening vehicles, climbing over or shaking vehicles, and entering a vehicle to throw water are also still not allowed.
Under the new ordinance, firetrucks may no longer enter the city unless they secure permission from the mayor's office beforehand.
The 2025 festival will also have a liquor ban from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m., an hour less than last year's ban duration.
Penalties also got more severe.
Under the new ordinance, violators will be slapped with imprisonment of 10 days and a fine of P5,000.
Minors who will be apprehended shall be turned over to the city's social welfare and development office, while their parents will be held liable and must pay a P5,000 fine.
Business establishments violating the liquor ban, meanwhile, must pay a P5,000 fine.
In the 2018 ordinance, first-time offenders must serve a day of community service and pay a P2,500 fine; second-time offenders must serve three days of community service and pay a fine of P3,500; and third-time offenders will be imprisoned for one to six days and pay a P5,000 fine.
"Layunin po natin na makapagdiwang tayo ng pista nang tahimik, payapa, at walang anumang kaguluhan," Zamora said during the press conference. "Tayo po ay maging disiplinado sa pagdiriwang ng ating kapistahan na paparating."
Malacañang declared June 24 a special non-working day in San Juan in celebration of the Wattah! Wattah! Festival.
The day is a celebration of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, whom the city is named after. In the Gospel, John is known for baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. He was also a preacher, seen as the forerunner of Jesus.
San Juan residents gather in the streets to douse water to each other, as a supposed reminder of their baptism.
But over the years, many Filipinos have disapproved of the basaan tradition. Outsiders passing through the area, especially workers and students headed to their offices and schools, have complained of experiencing harassment from aggressive celebrants.
In 2024, the festival got renewed criticism after viral videos showed San Juan residents hounding pedestrians, commuters, and motorists, as well as delivery riders.
In particular, a resident dubbed "Boy Dila" became infamous as he sprayed a delivery rider with a water gun while sticking his tongue out.
Zamora condemned the resident, saying his actions supposedly give San Juan residents a bad name.
Amid the criticisms, "Boy Dila" issued a public apology and met with the delivery rider to make amends upon Zamora's intervention.
In a The Philippine STAR report, a Lalamove rider named Eustaquio Rapal filed criminal complaints against unspecified individuals after being subjected to basaan while he was on duty.
