The San Juan City government kicks off its two-day Wattah! Wattah! Festival on Tuesday, June 23, with a parade and street dance competition highlighting the city’s rich culture, creativity, and community spirit.

Mayor Francis Zamora will lead the festival activities under this year’s theme, “Wattah! Wattah! 2026: Basbas ng Kasarinlan, Bendisyon ng Kapayapaan.” The festival features parades, competitions, performances, and the traditional Wattah! Wattah! Basaan on June 24.

On June 23, the activities will start at 3:30 p.m. with a parade, highlighting the city's rich heritage and traditions. Ten participating barangays will perform during the parade at two stations: in front of San Juan City Hall and the National Government Center.

It will be followed by the Festival Queen Showdown and Cultural Dance Performance competitions.

In the evening, a Hallyu group performance will be held by WOW Media Group and students from Namwon National Traditional Arts High School in South Korea.

Zamora said winners in the Cultural Dance Competition will receive cash prizes: P400,000 for first place, P200,000 for second place, and P100,000 for third place.

All non-winning participants will receive P10,000 consolation prizes.

Meanwhile, the Best in Parade Street Dancing winner will get P100,000, while the Festival Queen 2026 winner will receive P20,000.

On June 24, activities continue at 6 a.m. with a fiesta Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist, followed by the Santong Tao Float Parade depicting the life of St. John the Baptist around the city.

The traditional “Basaan” or dousing of water will commence as soon as the Santong Tao Floats leave the Pinaglabanan Street, where residents and visitors can participate in the official "Basaan Zone" and street party alongside Zamora and city officials.

The Basaan will feature performances headlined by Maki, along with sets from DJ Blue, DJ Patrick Cruz, BDICT, Eric V, and DJ Chelsea. The event will be hosted by Love Radio’s Nicole Hyala.

The winners of the Street Dancing Competition, Cultural Dance Competition, Festival Queen Competition, Santong Tao Float Competition, and Watt-Ah Barangay Best Booth Competition will be announced at 10 a.m.

The local government reminded the public that Pinaglabanan Street will be closed on June 23 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. On June 24, Pinaglabanan Street and all adjacent roads within the designated Basaan Zone will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It also emphasized that water-throwing or basaan activities are permitted only within the designated Basaan Zone from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Water-throwing outside the Basaan Zone is strictly prohibited and carries a penalty of P5,000 and/or ten days imprisonment.

The use of dirty water and harmful water-throwing materials such as water bombs, plastic bags, bottles, ice, and similar objects is prohibited. Likewise, forcibly opening vehicles; threatening or harming individuals; climbing onto or shaking vehicles; entering vehicles to throw water; operating unauthorized fire trucks; and using high-pressure water sprayers, except authorized fire trucks, are strictly forbidden.

A liquor ban will also be enforced from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 24.

“During this period, individuals are prohibited from purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages, while all establishments are prohibited from selling or serving liquor. Violating establishments will be fined P5,000,” Zamora said.

The mayor added that minors apprehended during festival activities will be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) under City Ordinance No. 58, Series of 2018.

Parents or legal guardians of minors below 18 were also reminded that they may be fined P5,000, while the minors will be referred to intervention programs of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) or the CSWD.