Pas'ungko Festival

 Pas'ungko Festival

Pas'ungko Festival highlights Subanen folklore and literature

Subanen cultural heritage is alive and thriving in the entire Subanen territory of Subanen People's Kingdom (SPK) one which it is the Pas'ungko S'g Mis Occ Festival, a highlight of the province's 89th anniversary celebration, and a thanksgiving celebration for the abundance of blessings among the Subanen people.

The Pas'ungko street dance competition promotes cultural sensitivity through its carefully crafted presentations which were reported to be studied exhaustively before being rendered into artful performances.

Each of the 11 competing contingents showed accurate representation of the Subanen tribe, from their traditional attires that tell of the tribe's rich history and culture, to their symbolic rituals and vibrant folk literature.

Echoing the advocacy of preserving the identity and culture of indigenous people, and organizing events for the public so that they may witness and be reminded of their ancestors' legacy.

"This celebration is not only an invitation for now, we should work harder so that our future generation may enjoy what we have this moment. Let this be our gift to them in the future."

His Majesty Rajah Gendao is thankful to the Philippine' Department of Tourism (DOT) for promoting the awareness about the Subanen Culture in Subanen People's Kingdom (SPK) to the entire Philippines and in the world. His majesty is also thankful to the Misamis Occidental Government, the organizers, the participants and most of all the People who visited and enjoyed the festival which is celebrated every month of November.

First ZANORTE Buklog Festival

The Buklog is a major conglomeration of several other rituals such as PENGAMU, a thanksgiving rite for fulfilled wishes; SAMAYA, for the recovery of ill health; and PELENTU, a sacred ceremony for the spirits of the dead.

The Buklog is also a culmination of other rituals performed within the year. Among these equally solemn traditions are the PELIS, a ritual commencing agricultural tasks in the field; BAKTI, a beautiful ceremony of bringing home young rice grain and made into Lebek (popularly known as Pinipig), as an anticipation for a bountiful harvest; PESINGKU, the thanksgiving rite for good harvest and where baptism rituals (Kenubata) are occasionally concurred; GAMPANG, a major thanksgiving ritual for good health, harmonious living, peace and order, is also done to prevent the coming of evil as symbolized by encircling a line around a specific area.

The Buklog proper is the grand ceremony preceded by extensive consultations among the tribal (Datu/Timuay/Bai) and religious (Balyan) leaders from different Subanen communities. A tribal convention participated in by concerned Subanen members is also necessary for the final decision on dates and venue of the festival.

The construction of a BUKLOGAN is based on the metaphysics of the number eight (8), regarded by Subanens as the most significant number to convey stability, security and strength. The different parts of the entire structural set up are also systematically arranged in octaves.

The ideal Buklogan has eight main posts made of hard round timber and has an eight-feet equidistance in between posts, covering a total ground area of 256 square feet. With the height of 16 feet, the flooring lattice support is made up of 32 pliable round sticks with eight pieces laid equidistant in between posts. This year's grand Buklog Festival in Mandih was made possible through the support of the Provincial Government under Governor Rolando E. Yebes.

Every Subanen (and even non-Subanen for that matter) can only wish for a sustainability of this significant religious-cultural tradition in the future.

Provincial Accountant Bai Marivic Carpitanos, who is also the president of the Subanen Federated Clan expressed the significance of the Buklog Festival as a big boost to all Subanon communities. For Bai Marivic, it is an upliftment of the rich Subanen culture and tradition being threatened by culturally biased modernization and an equally lack of educational mechanism towards a positive socio-cultural awareness.