THE first month of 2017 has come to a close. Looking back, January was filled with so many events and festivals – the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Dinagyang, and the Chinese New Year. Amid all these, we also had the recent Miss Universe to boost our adrenaline. Yes, January was synonymous to excitement, an apt way to start the year with so much energy.
In the southern part of Negros, January was also a festive month. Like many Negrenses and travelers, I also made my way to Kabankalan to take part in the revelry that is the Sinulog sa Kabankalan. This was the 41st time the celebration was held and, just as many places in Visayas, our very own Negros Island also has its share of history when it comes to devotion to the Sto. Niño.
Devotion to the Holy Child
The theme for this year’s Sinulog sa Kabankalan festivities was "Señor Sto. Niño Masaligan nga Tabang sang Kabankalan," an apt reminder to us on how the child Jesus saved our ancestors from the attacks of pirates during the earlier days. It was in that era when coastal villages were vulnerable to raids by Moro pirates. The provincial capital then, Ilog, and its surrounding towns were not spared by such incidents. Lore has it that a child with a shining sword was spotted atop a church tower that sent the attackers scurrying away. This is said to be where Sinulog sa Kabankalan traces its roots.
The tribus that paraded the streets of Kabankalan held the image of the Sto. Niño while dancing to the beat of the drums. “Viva Pit Señor Sto. Niño” echoed through Kabankalan, as in other parts of the Visayas that celebrate the same devotion to the Holy Child.
Street dancing
Locals, travelers, visitors and foreigners trooped to the parade route to have a glimpse of the dancing tribes. Eight barangays joined the street dancing competition this year. These were Barangays Tres, Binicuil, Camingawan, Daan Banua, Magballo, Salong, Tabugon, and Tapi. In the end, it was the Tribu Lasang of Barangay Magballo that bagged the championship title.
I was a child when I last witnessed Sinulog sa Kabankalan and I remember revelers applying soot on other people’s faces. The tradition persists up to this day. Foreigners were eager to experience such while teens and groups of young adults gamely joined with their friends.
We watched the street dancers in colorful garbs parade around the heart of Kabankalan. Trailing after the tribus were Negros Sinulog Queen 2017 Trickcy Concepcion, first runner-up Claire Therese Porras and second runner-up Michelle Teves waving at the crowd.
Feasts and sumptuous eats
The city square was not only filled with people who wanted to have a piece of the festivities, but it was also surrounded by food stalls that made the ambiance even more jovial. While it would be quite a pleasure enjoying the food sold at the plaza, we had lunch at the home of a family friend, which is a usual practice in the provinces.
The tradition of eating in homes of relatives or friends creates an authentic local fiesta feel where the warm Filipino hospitality comes out on such occasions. May our traditions and our devotion to the Holy Child Jesus continue to grow through Sinulog sa Kabankalan.
*****
Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram.