Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro | Every March 15
Sulyog Festival is Bongabong’s annual celebration that expresses gratitude for its agricultural abundance, particularly its two main crops—bananas and coconuts. The term “Sulyog” combines “suli,” a Mangyan word for banana, and “niyog,” the Tagalog word for coconut, symbolizing the town’s identity as a major producer of these vital commodities.
Festival Highlights
Street Dancing Presentation
A colorful street dancing performance serves as the highlight of the celebration. Dancers dressed in banana- and coconut-inspired costumes portray the traditional farming practices of Bongabong. These include harvesting bananas and coconuts, extracting coconut meat for copra, and preparing bananas for market—all creatively choreographed and dramatized to pay homage to the town’s patron saint, St. Joseph.
Cultural Showcase and Agricultural Pride
Beyond the dancing, the festival is a thanksgiving ritual, rooted in both faith and agricultural tradition. It highlights the labor and livelihood of local farmers while celebrating the richness of the land that sustains Bongabong's economy.
Honoring Faith and Farming
The Sulyog Festival is a vivid expression of devotion, culture, and agricultural pride. It unites the community in giving thanks for their blessings while preserving the customs of the Mangyan heritage and honoring St. Joseph as a spiritual protector. Through dance, tradition, and local flavors, the people of Bongabong showcase the story of their roots and resilience.
