Sibonga’s Pride: A Sibonganon’s Faith in God
Sibonga is a 3rd class municipality in the southeastern coastline of the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the city of Carcar, on the west by the municipalities of Dumanjug and Ronda, on the south by the municipality of Argao and on the east by Cebu Strait.
Derived from the word bonga – a native name for the bethel nut tree – the village was thickly covered with African palms (Betel Nut). When the Spaniards came, they asked the natives the name of the place. The natives answered “bonga”, the local name for betel nuts. The place was then called Sibonga by the Spaniards, who did not understand the native dialect, and who thought that bonga was the name of the place.
According to the 2007 census, Sibonga has a population of 40,765 people and has 25 barangays.
Sumptuous Food, unique culture, undying traditions, and an uncharted history – these are the heritages that make the town of Sibonga. A pleasant retreat from the city’s harsh environment and loud noises, Sibonga offers a distinct serene provincial lifestyle that is merged with unforgettable tourist spots like SIMALA’s Marian Monk Monastery, a beautiful uphill church that has been considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines, and the church of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza, an ancient, coral stone church with fresco paintings on the ceilings that rival that of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Festivals, parades, religious rituals coupled with the Sibonganon’s charm and the people’s penchant to celebrate as a break from the humdrum of daily living – these are the cultural elements that place Sibonga and its constituents way above the ordinary.
Sibonga is a 3rd class municipality in the southeastern coastline of the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the city of Carcar, on the west by the municipalities of Dumanjug and Ronda, on the south by the municipality of Argao and on the east by Cebu Strait.
Derived from the word bonga – a native name for the bethel nut tree – the village was thickly covered with African palms (Betel Nut). When the Spaniards came, they asked the natives the name of the place. The natives answered “bonga”, the local name for betel nuts. The place was then called Sibonga by the Spaniards, who did not understand the native dialect, and who thought that bonga was the name of the place.
According to the 2007 census, Sibonga has a population of 40,765 people and has 25 barangays.
Sumptuous Food, unique culture, undying traditions, and an uncharted history – these are the heritages that make the town of Sibonga. A pleasant retreat from the city’s harsh environment and loud noises, Sibonga offers a distinct serene provincial lifestyle that is merged with unforgettable tourist spots like SIMALA’s Marian Monk Monastery, a beautiful uphill church that has been considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines, and the church of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza, an ancient, coral stone church with fresco paintings on the ceilings that rival that of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Festivals, parades, religious rituals coupled with the Sibonganon’s charm and the people’s penchant to celebrate as a break from the humdrum of daily living – these are the cultural elements that place Sibonga and its constituents way above the ordinary.
BONGA FESTIVAL
During the month of August, the people of Sibonga celebrate their Bonga Festival – coming from the word “fruit”, from the original betel nut, “bonga” has expanded to mean harvest. This festival is to give honor to the town’s patron saints, Our Lady of Pilar and Santa Filomena. Highlighted with beautiful street dancing and ritual competition, the Bonga Festival is a form of thanksgiving not only to their patron saints but also to Christ for giving them abundant harvests.
The whole intention of the festival is for the Sibonganons to become united in an advocacy to let their fellow Sibonganons realize that fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, papaya, and the cereals, are very important, not only for the daily sustenance of the populace but also to the economy of the town.
Since Sibonga heavily relies on Agriculture for living, the citizens of Sibonga unite in the practice of celebrating the importance of their harvest because without it, they would probably die because of hunger. The Bonga Festival is the way to show us all that Sibonganons rely heavily on Agriculture for their living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmcbKw4DWsk&feature=related
- An example of a Bonga Festival presentation.
PASTORES DE SIBONGA
Pastores de Sibonga is a short Christmas play which narrates the story of Christ's nativity in song and dance as performed in Brgy. Magcagong, Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines. The play is similar to the Tagalogs’ Panunuluyan.
Dating back from the 1920’s, Pastores de Sibonga is performed by at least four dancers. The female dancer wears a red blouse or red shirt paired with a long white skirt. The male dancer wears a red shirt paired with black pants. Accessories include a round hat decorated with cut-outs of the sun, moon and stars in yellow, red, green, and other brightly colored papers together with a yellow sash tied around the waist. An oval-shaped, red anahaw, is used and held by the right hand during the performance. The white square handkerchief is held by the left hand folded into a triangular shape.
The accompaniment music is a rondalla of string ensemble (guitar, banduria, and bajo). The lyrics tell of the pre-, nativity, and post-nativity settings. It expresses happiness, joy, and worship, and offers praises and gifts for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The play depicts the shepherd's adoration of the child Jesus.
The play itself shows that we Sibonganons use theatre in order to portray our faith in the birth of Jesus Christ. As a predominant Catholic town, Sibonga promotes Christianity through simple plays such as this, in order to let others know that religion can be expressed in various forms of worship.
THE MONASTERY OF MARIAN MONKS
The Monastery of Marian Monks or better known as Simala, is a well-known church here in the town of Sibonga. Popular because of the different testimonies of the devotees regarding miracles, people all over Cebu and even out of the country come to Sibonga not just to see the church with Moorish tones in its facade, but also to pray for healing of different ailments.
Some were cured of illness, passed the licensure examinations, received guidance, achieved spiritual enlightenment, and so on and so forth.
The church of Simala symbolizes that we Sibonganons not only respect but truly give importance to our religious icons such as Mama Mary. The Holy Sculpture of Mama Mary is the main icon that is displayed in Simala and that is what brings many people in and out of Sibonga to Simala.
Simala is a place for devotion and silent prayers. Simala will remain to be the symbol of Sibonganons’ true religious fervor.
THE FORGOTTEN BEAUTY:
NUESTRA SENORA DEL PILAR DE ZARAGOZA
Rivaling Rome’s Sistine Chapel, Nuestra Senora Del Pilar De Zaragoza Church boasts of a gothic interior that truly shows Sibonganon’s hard work and devotion to Catholicism that is present on the ceilings of the church.
Built last 1881, this beautiful gothic church, which has been gradually forgotten by the new age, is a relic of true Sibonganon culture.
The whole church gives an ambiance that makes a passerby, tourist, or a Sibonganon, reflect on everything in life.
The church is a product of the Sibonganons’ hardwork, from diving to the bottom of the ocean to gather the corrals, cut them into blocks, and piling them one on top of the other using apog (lime) and egg white paste. It might have taken the workers years to complete the structure. Labor alone, without faith, could not have prodded them to finish this intricate architecture wonder.
Due for reconstruction, the church has been asking for donations from Sibonganons and tourists in order to rehabilitate the church so that both its interior and exterior will be renovated to its original splendor.
The culture and tradition of Sibonganons regarding religion is present in this Church. It symbolizes not only our Catholic faith, but our realization that there is hope in the future, regardless of the sins and miostakes that we commit. God is good and forgiving.
The frescoes on the high ceiling are the main attraction of the church. The painter reveals to us the true nature of Sibonganons regarding Catholic faith. We are a religious people and thus, we are people that truly respect God above all things.
THE PATH OF A SIBONGANON
The town of Sibonga, as for me, is a place where Filipinos with exceptional Catholic devotion is born. Sibonganons are capable of showing the world that Catholic faith is needed to be able to realize our faults and mistakes. The four things I have pointed out – the Bonga Festival, Pastores de Sibonga, the churches in Simala, and Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragoza – are simple things that a Sibonganon can be proud of. Our faith to God is carried through all that we do so that when we grow up and have children and grandchildren; we are able to pass this pride that we carry that is about the place that we grew from.
“Sibonga is my town of which I am proud of,” these are words that I will never be afraid to say in my entire life. Sibonga for me is my town and my pride, forever.
MABUHAY ANG SIBONGA!!!
Resources:
http://www.maxtein.com/travel/simala.html
http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/nuestra-senora-del-pilar-de-zaragoza-sibonga-cebu
http://www.cebufestivals.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmcbKw4DWsk&feature=related
http://www.cebudaily.com/images/23-sibonga-c.jpg
http://mycebuphotoblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/northern-cebus-simala/
General Information
Name: Tiglao, Jose Angelo C.
Home Address: Apt. 4 Essons Manor, Urgello St., Cebu City, Philippines
School: Southwestern University, Aznar Road, Urgello St., Cebu City
Year: 4th Year
Coach: Dr. Catalino Abos, Ed.D.
Contact Number: 09081385310
URL of Blog: http://hunter522.blogspot.com/2010/08/sibongas-pride-sibonganons-faith-to-god.html
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