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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. Traditionally 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 dances even a Malunggayan Fiesta, a day that celebrates the nutritional benefits of the Malunggay (morninga) 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. A Fluvial Procession re-enacting the Sto. Niño’s entrance into the city through 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.
See our previous coverage of Sublian Festival.
Source: Batangas City Press Kit, Museo ng Lahing Batangan
Last Updated: November 12, 2013
