Wawa, Pilar

Wawa is one of the 19 barangays in the municipality of Pilar in the second district of the province of Bataan, the Philippines. Located in the eastern part of the town, it is bordered by Balut II to the north, Panilao to the west, Bagumbayan and Landing to the south, and Manila Bay to the east. Majority of Wawa are agricultural lands used as either fishponds or rice paddies. Most of the locals reside in the central portion along the Masuaje River. The barangay's name derives from the Tagalog word wawa, meaning "estuary" or river mouth owing to its location where the Masuaje River drains to Manila Bay. As of 2015, the local population is around 1,990.

Economy

Formerly, the barangay's primary source of livelihood was fishing owing to its healthy seas. Fisherfolks usually go to the sea for weeks or even months navigating the whole area of Manila Bay and often reaching as far as Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas. On their return, the people celebrate as they wait by the sea shore. Today, only a few people depend on fishing, and usually use canoes instead of large barges.

Culture

The barangay celebrates two festivals, or fiestas, annually: one in May to celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) and the other every October 24 to celebrate the feast of the barangay's patron saint, San Rafael the Archangel. The two fiestas are celebrated differently. The feast of St. Raphael is traditionally celebrated with a festive dance called "sambale" (also known as "karakol" in some parts of the Philippines) followed by a fluvial parade starting from the Masuaje River until Manila Bay and back. During the fluvial procession, locals bring the image of Saint Raphael together with a brass band called "musico" to the sea aboard a large boat (mother "pagoda") adorned with colorful banderitas. Smaller outrigger boats or bancas follow the mother pagoda. After reaching the open sea, the boats make several rounds that last for hours before heading back to the river. The locals believe the celebration will give them plentiful catch of fish.

In May, a "kantura", a variant of the santacruzan, is held for nine days prior to the feast day. The kantura consists of twelve (sometimes fourteen) young girls between 7 to 12 years old that sing and dance hymns to the Holy Cross every day and night during a procession, symbolizing the role of pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land to visit the Holy Cross. Every night the Holy Cross is transferred to a different house or 'station' and a feast is served for the cantors and the townsfolk, traditionally consisting of green bean soup (nilagang monggo) and paborita. On the ninth and final day, the kantura follows the Reyna Elena on her search for the Holy Cross. A sambale and fluvial parade are also typically held during the day before the night procession.

Notable individuals

• Jose S. Herrera Sr., third municipal mayor (sheriff at that time) of Pilar.
• Justice Manuel C. Herrera, son of Jose Herrera Sr. who was then the deputy tanod bayan (Ombudsman at present) during the Marcos regime and head of the prosecution panel in the Benigno Aquino Jr. murder case that led to the EDSA Revolution of 1986. Herrera became one of the justices of the Court of Appeals.