02172015Tue
Last updateMon, 16 Feb 2015 1pm

Barra de Navidad scales back Philippines commemoration celebration

As is often the case in provincial Mexican towns, plans for grand events are routinely crushed when the realities of economics, logistics and infrastructure are taken into consideration.

Such is the case in Barra de Navidad with the preparations for the 450th anniversary of the start of the expedition Mexico-Philippines, scheduled November 21-23.

A major highlight of the Primer Festival de La Amistad México-Filipinas was to have been the arrival of the Marigalante galleon from Puerto Vallarta. Unfortunately, the short voyage down the coast has been cancelled and the keenly awaited dinners and festivities planned on board the fine replica of Columbus’ Santa Maria will not be taking place.

Nonetheless, a full day of civic activities, including entertainment, is still on the menu on November 21, with the inauguration of the festival scheduled for 4 p.m. in Barra’s Jardin Principal.

Saturday, November 22 sees an all-day academic program on the malecon, when historians will present papers on themes related to the expedition and its consequences. The presentations will include titles such as “The Southern Coast in the Conquest of the Philippines,” “The Spanish Language in the Philippines,” “The Biocultural Interchange between Nueva Galicia and the Philippines,” “The Philippines-Mexico. The Same Origin. One Brotherhood.”

The entertainment continues in the Jardin on both Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m.