San Juan is renowned for its celebration of the Nativity of St. John the
Baptist every 24 June. In a nod to the saint's characteristic act, San Juaneños
engage in Basaan ("wetting"), where revellers splash people with
water. Devotees and residents believe that getting wet during the Basaan brings
blessings, and that it is antisocial to be irate when doused. Pedestrians and
vehicles with open windows are favourite targets, and in recent years an
ordinance curtailing the Basaan at noon was enacted after complaints from
non-residents and commuters.
Basaan is also practised in
