MANILA, Philippines – It may have been a rain-soaked Monday night, but Poblacion’s nightlife district was bursting with life as people trooped to the area for Repoblacion ng Pilipinas, an Independence Day party.

Don Pedro street, the spine of Poblacion’s nightlife, was bedecked in all things Filipino: Philippine flags, banderitas, painted bilaos.

It was indeed a celebration of Filipino culture and the Filipino spirit. 

Bars like Ruins, Alamat, and Agimat were ready with their local beers and liquor, as pop-up cocktail bar DBWY served Filipino-inspired mixes such as “Peaches ng Silanganan” or “Suman Lulupig.”

OPM acts including Kjwan and Razorback performed in several venues – and even Raymund Marasigan of Eraserheads fame picked up the guitar and played a few tunes for the crowd.

Performers from the Marikina Dance Troupe also showcased traditional Filipino dances – even getting some members of the crowd to dance the tinikling.

Filipino food took the spotlight as well, with stalls selling traditional and reinvented Filipino food lining the streets. (lumpiang sinigang or fish cotton candy, anyone?)

And of course throughout the night, both Filipinos and foreigners seemed to be especially possessed by that fun-loving, happy-go-lucky spirit that typifies the way Filipinos react even in less-than-ideal circumstances. 

Armed with only the flimsiest protection (thin raincoats, salakots, straw katipunero hats), people energetically followed the buzz and walked the drenched streets – never mind the downpour. – Rappler.com