The first Oktoberfest and how the Philippines celebrates the occasion

Oktoberfest is an annual, two-week beer festival in Munich, Germany which ends on the first Sunday of October.

It traces its roots to wedding celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Saschen-Hildburhhausenof Bavaria on 12 October 1810.

Citizens of Munich were invited to the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates.

According to the German Club Manila, the fields have since been named Theresienwiese (Theresa's meadow) in honor of the Crown Princess, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to "Wies'n."

The original tradition, in which the mayor of Munich taps the first keg to open the festival, has been adapted worldwide.

Music, dancing games and amusement rides were added to the celebration.

The Philippines has been celebrating Oktoberfest, too, along with Philippine-German diplomatic relations.

The German Club Manila, for instance, serves Weihenstephaner German beer, as well as Filipino brands, with German delicacies such as bratwurst, sauerkraut and other sausages.