Sublian Festival

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Friday, 13 April 2012 - 4:07:11 PM

The Sublian festival, a two week long celebration which culminates every year on the 23rd of July, is rooted in the Batangueños devotion to the town’s patron: the Holy Cross in Bauan and Agoncillo, and the Sto. Niño in Batangas City.

This religious devotion translated to a dance from indigenous to Batangas: the Subli. Traditionaly performed to the accompaniment of drums and chanting, the Subli praises the Patron in a combination of poetry, movement and music.

Today, the Sublian festival features not just devotional dance-song but street dancing indigenous Filipino games, Harana (serenades), the Lupakan, Awitan at Sayawan: an event which combines the sharing of Nilupak (local delicacy made of bananas and sweet potato) with folk songs and dancesand even a Malunggayan Fiesta, a day that celebrates the nutritional benefits of the malunggay (moringa) plant. The Sublian Festival also coincides with the city’s founding anniversary.

The Sublian Festival is included in the Department of Tourism’s Calendar of Events.

Another Festival celebrated in Batangas City is the annual City Fiesta in honor of its patron, the Sto. Niño’s entrance into the city though the Calumpang River is held every January 7, the first day of the novena. Nightly, cultural shows by the city’s schools, a Battle of the Bands, a Children’s Art Competition as well as the Bb. Lungsod ng Batangas, Beauty Pageant are held culminating on January 16 with a grand Fiesta Parade.

Additional Info about Sublian Festival

The Sublian Festival was started by the city Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha on July 23, 1988 on the annual observation of the city hood of Batangas City. The objective is to renew the practice of the subli.

So, what is a subli?

A subli is presented during a feast, as ceremonial worship dance in honor to the Holy Cross. The image of the Holy Cross was found during the Spanish rule in the town of Alitagtag. It is the patron saint of ancient town of Bauan. The dance is indigenous to the province of Batangas.

The subli is made up of lengthy prayers, songs and dances in predetermined arrangement. The dancers are made up of one, two or eight couples. The male dancers shuffle in intense fashion and hit the ground using a bamboo stick, while the female, dance with a sophisticated wrist and finger movement.

The parade usually starts in morning on the 23rd of July after the floral offering. It is commonly participated by the city government employees, non-government organization, schools and socio-civic organization.

Participants come in native attire with adorned subli hats to symbolize Batangueño attributes and customs.

The best bit of the event is the Foundation Day and the Sublian sa Kalye (in the street), where partakers will march and dance the subli on the streets. There are around a thousand students who join and perform astreet dancing subli. The parade usually takes at least an hour or more to complete.

After the Sublian Parade, programs are scheduled for the whole day at the City Hall Complex.

One interesting program during the celebration is the Lupakan (making of a snack called nilupak) at Awitan (singing) held at the People’s Quadrangle. Here you can catch a glimpse of how the native snack nilupak is made. And at the same time have a taste of the delectable snack. (Source: batangas-philippines.com)