A perya is a traditional Filipino town fair or carnival, usually set up temporarily during local fiestas, community celebrations, or holiday events. It’s a gathering space that combines entertainment, games, rides, and food stalls.
Peryas are usually set up in open spaces like town plazas, school grounds, or barangay centers and last for a few days to a week.
The perya has classic Filipino games, often referred to as a “peryagame,” and occasionally has live performances, parades, and sometimes local contests.
History
The history of the perya is uncertain.
Historians trace the perya back to the Spanish colonial era, when communities held fairs alongside religious fiestas. The word “perya” comes from the Spanish term “feria,” which originally referred to celebrations dedicated to a god or deity.
Some sources trace its origins to the Manila Carnival, an American-era exposition designed to showcase the Philippines’ economic progress. You can spot many similarities between that historic event and the way today’s perya operates.
Perya could also be a translation of the term “fair,” but there may be some technicalities to this interpretation. A perya has more in common with a carnival than a fair, the former being a foreign attraction, while a fair reflects a more local touch.
What You Can Find
Whatever you find in the perya, you can afford it. That’s one thing we can assure you. Event organizers take deliberate steps to keep every site and stall accessible to all visitors, so stay alert as you navigate the grounds.
A perya assembles itself quickly, delivering a blend of excitement and unpredictability the moment it arrives in your neighborhood.
Food
You can find your favorite staple foods here, from plastic-wrapped popcorn to childhood favorite Ice Crumble (Iskrambol).
Classic street foods, such as fishball stands and hot dogs, and exciting discoveries and gimmicks, like Magic Water and the once-famous Fries-in-a-cup presentation, are all right in front of you to enjoy.
Rides
Self-taught welders assemble the rides in a perya using whatever materials they have on hand, often reusing parts when needed. Keep in mind that these rides usually operate without formal safety inspections, so you enter knowing the risks involved.
Still, it could make for a pleasant fifteen minutes of your time.
Why go all the way to Star City and spend a fortune when you can have your adrenaline filled with a few minutes on the makeshift Anchors Away ride or maybe the swinging carousel ride?
Games
Games are often the main attraction, and for good reason. After all, these games are probably their main source of revenue.
Some of the classic peryagame booths you see are hoop tosses, basketball shots, knock the bottle, and the occasional darts on certain occasions.
If you’re looking for less hassle by letting Lady Luck dictate your fate, some classic peryagames include Bingo, Color Game, and Pinoy Drop Ball. You won’t find this in every perya, particularly in sites where children can come and go freely.
Decline in Popularity
The traditional perya, once a lively centerpiece of Filipino town fiestas, is gradually disappearing.
In the article “Where Have All the Peryas Gone?” by Karl Aguila, perya operator Rodolfo “Tatay Ompong” Villena explains how modern entertainment options like malls and internet shops have shifted people’s attention away from local carnivals.
This cultural shift has led to a noticeable decline in patronage, forcing many peryas to downsize or close altogether.
This decline reflects the broader impact of modernization, as traditional forms of entertainment struggle to compete with the convenience and allure of the digital age.
The Digital Movement
The perya is undoubtedly a huge part of Filipino culture.
You may see them seldomly nowadays, but now and then, you can come across one in a different city. Carnivals like Fiesta Carnival in Gateway are still around for your leisure.
And, when it comes to the entertainment sector, they know better than to simply ignore the demand for the games that millions of Filipinos seek to experience again.
The perya continues to appeal to the new generation, who now encounter it in a different, more modern setup.
Online casinos like GameZone are an example. Instead of drawing simply from high-end casinos, they draw from the local scene, bringing more attention from the common folk as well.
