On one side, a chuckle, then, a large intake of breath. The grand finale- a harmonious melody of elation and glee, as the engine audibly starts, and the ride starts to move in its destined direction. On the other, a whoosh. A pop. A clang. Spectators cheer, as one target after another is hit, growing closer and closer to the prize. Farther, coins are handed, exchanged for countless of treats and delicacies. Truly, what a glorious place a night carnival is- the place where memories are made, where love is fostered, and joy is shared. 

Ask an Antipoleño where he would like to go during the “-ber” months, and he would most definitely point to the most renowned night carnival around- the Ynares carnival, stationed just besides the Ynares Events Center in Antipolo City. Having been an integral part of everyone’s childhood for so long, a year could never be complete without visiting the fair at least once. Due to this, the absence of the carnival during the pandemic put a damper on the holiday spirit of frequent visitors, but now, there is no longer any need to fret, because the Ynares Carnival has been, once again, opened for business! The resumption of the festivities in Ynares will certainly appease those who wish to visit it once more, but the beneficiaries do not extend to these people only. Looking at it from a closer perspective, a curious inquiry is raised- to what extent does the return of this fair affect specific individuals?

A Time to Remember

The reopening of Ynares means that frequent goers have an opportunity to visit the carnival again, and Aika is a part of said returning visitors. Having been going to the fair since she was five years old, Aika remarked that a lot of things have changed in the area, particularly, the size of some of the attractions. Now in her twenties, Aika and her companion walked amiably besides each other, taking in the familiar and somewhat foreign sight right in front of them, remembering the years when they used to tread the very same path they were standing on. Truly, what a nostalgic trip down memory lane- a journey filled with vivid memories of childlike joy and wonder!

“Umuwi po siya galing Bulacan, so nag-bonding kami for today.” Aika mentioned, looking at her long-time friend. “Binalikan lang namin 'to for our childhood memories.”

Aika’s presence proves that the Ynares Carnival truly is a place of wonder- a place that means a lot to many. Excluding the rides, the stalls, the attractions, and the decorations, the carnival holds something more abstract, something that cannot be seen, and yet, bears just as much importance as the others. It contains the memories. Memories of a time to remember.

A Lifeline for Many

Behind a major success are the people who’ve done their best to ensure that everything goes well. The Ynares Carnival would not be as lovely as it is without the help of the people behind it, and Veronica, one of the stall owners in the fair can attest to this. With the income from her stall serving as her main source of livelihood, Veronica was crushed by the halted fair activities during the pandemic. Now, to call her ongoing business “successful” is a little bit too ambitious, but compared to the times before the carnival went inactive, her stall is now faring much better. Veronica’s story is a story not exclusive to her alone, but a story in which many other stall owners have also went through.

When asked about how she felt about the reopening of the fair, Victoria stated. “Okay naman po, parang masaya, kasi nga natapos na yung mga ano, kahirapan noon.” This goes to show just how important the carnival is to the people who work there.

The Ynares Carnival has never been solely about the visitors, about the people having fun. Behind the grand scheme of things stand the workers, those who form a unified front to give the guests the time of their lives. The workers, who, in order to make a living, dedicatedly set up their stall and smile for the people every day. The carnival is not just a mere carnival- not just a mere form of entertainment. It is a livelihood. A lifeline for many, just like Veronica.

A Story in Many Parts

What is the defining feature of a carnival, if not the numerous rides to go on? The main attraction in a setting such as these are the rides, and without the ride operators, boarding it (safely) will not be possible at all. Ghibsikel, another one of the workers of the carnival, has been serving as one of the fair’s operators for the longest time. With his job being borne out of curiosity in doing so, Ghibsikel’s responsibility mostly stems from the fact that his uncle has been handling the fair for about 11 years. Both Ghibsikel and his uncle have been in Ynares for so long, to the point where it has become a place special to them as well. A place to call home.

“Mga 11 years na kami,” Ghibsikel said, when asked about how long they’ve been serving as workers in Ynares. He added, “mahirap, walang pambuhay,” after being asked on how he felt about the carnival activities pausing during the pandemic.

To a frequent goer, the Ynares carnival is a memory to remember. To a stall owner, a lifeline to hold on to. To a ride operator, a story in many parts. All of these stories are interwoven with one another, connected in a way that they’re unique, but shared experiences at the same time. Like a carousel, these stories go round and round, going in a full circle, exploring all of the sides of the story at the very end.