A celebration of faith

Festivals play a big part in the Filipino culture. Each city or barrio has at least one local festival of its own. Filipino festivals are known for their cheerful spirit, color, and grand celebration, and usually related to social, religious, and communal aspects of the people of a certain place. These festivals are not only for the locals to enjoy but also for tourists from all over the world.

Dinagyang of Ilo-Ilo, Caracol Festival of Cavite, Sinulog Festival of Cebu, Moriones Festival of Marinduque, and the Ati-Atihan of Aklan are just few of the festivals Filipinos celebrate.

But here in Manila, aside from the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, one of the most famous religious feasts in the country in the first month of the year is the feast in honor of the Sto. Niño, another religious icon close to the hearts of Filipinos.

Recently, the Buling-Buling Festival was celebrated at the Liwasang Balagtas in the 6th District of Manila. The celebration included a religious dance performed in honor of the Sto. Niño, which is considered as the official festival of the City of Manila.

As in many festivals Filipinos celebrate, Buling-Buling is a religious tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation. Buling-Buling was taken from "buling-buli," a colloquial word which means perfect and beautiful, and which the devotees found an apt description of the dance offered to the Sto. Niño. The festival amplifies the city’s rich cultural history in dance, music, and festivities.

For hundreds of years, the Sto. Niño has been Pandacan’s protector—from the old story of shielding the city from the wrath of Spaniards, to healing sick and ill people, to protecting people from great fire and calamities.

Fun, amusement, and devotion were filling the air as they start the parade. The street was jam-packed with the locals and devotees waiting to witness the pulsating dance moves and colorful outfits of the dancers. Groups of dancers performed the traditional steps to the tune of a marching band. Different images of Jesus as a Child were displayed with grace and poise as they bop to the festive music of Buling-Buling.

The Samahang Sining at Kultura ng Pandacan or the SSKP, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) worked hand in hand, with the assistance of the Department of Tourism, to ensure the success of the festival.

This year’s festival displayed the beauty of traditional Filipino culture once more. The event was not just about our passion for music and merry making but also an opportunity for tourists to appreciate and participate in various activities we have, and be amazed by our custom and faith.