As a spectator many times over of
numerous Philippine festivals in the past, I still overflow with enthusiasm
each time I witness a new one. After experiencing the Ati-Atihan three times
and the Sinulog twice already, I’ve had more than enough dose of fun from those
twin-festivals honoring the Sto. Niño. However, I’m always game to immerse in
the different vibe of other lesser-known festivals in the country. Camarines
Norte’s Busig-on Festival isn’t just previously unknown to me, it also has an
interesting backstory involving a widely retold local story. Therefore, during
my 8-hour bus ride to the province, I already visualized the kind of frenzy
atmosphere that awaits me.
The Epic Tale of Busig-On
Busig-On Festival is celebrated
every first week of September in Labo, Camarines Norte. As a town lavished by
the abundant waters of Labo River, it follows naturally that all commercial and
even cultural activities of the town would center on their revered river.
This is also another reason why a
contemporary story was written centering on a mythical character named
Busig-On. The name of the leading protagonist was derived from the Bicolano
word “Busig”, which means “Water” and “on”, which translates to “plenty”. Thus,
the name Busig-On directly translating to “plenty of water” in reference to
Labo River.
The epic tale written by Dr.
Carlos C. Galvez charts the exploits of Busig-On and Princess Maraya. Despite
coming from two combatant tribes, the two fell in love with each other. After
they got married, their warring tribes forged a peace agreement.
Soon, the
couple bore a son named Tarik-Kuduok, who inherited the leadership role when
his parents died. A great famine dried much of the land and to save his people
from further misery, Tarik summoned spiritual guidance from the departed
Busig-On to help his people.
Unlike most epic tales, the epic
of Busig-On dishes a happy ending as the vast dry land was soon filled by water.
Natural pools formed until it grew bigger and flowed downstream to fill other
tributaries. Not long after, inhabitants enjoyed an abundant source of
livelihood through fishing and much needed source of farming irrigation.
That body of water gave birth to
Busig-On river, which is now the main tributary of Labo River.
A Laid-back but Vibrant Street Parade
What it lacks in matching the
bounteous energy of the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and the Dingyang Festivals in the
Visayas, the Busig-On Festival made up for it with an easy-going revelry while retaining
the colorful characteristics of other popular Philippine Festivals. The crowd
was evenly scattered through the long sidewalks and it seems everyone can dive
right in into the action and partake on the street carousing—much like the
Ati-Atihan but in a smaller scale.
As a photographer, I savored the
laid-back celebration as I was able to take decent photographs of the
performers up close. You could feel that Busig-On Festival is every bit of a
small-town fiesta. It teams with its own unique allure and bursting with
intimacy that seem to draw the locals tightly bonded with each other.
Like in
most festivals in the country, the drumming beats are still as loud as they can
be, the costumes popping with colors, and the choreography wildly entertaining.
You can say Philippine Festivals are all “same-same but different”, because as
you pinpoint several similarities you can also sense a myriad of variances.
As I watch the performers adorned
with flamboyant costumes perform the interpretive dance of the Epic of Busig-On through the streets, I
picked up a thing or two about some of the town’s traditions like the act of
courtship, fish harvesting and their forever act of homage to Busig-On river.
Because as never-ending the streams coming from Busig-On river will remain, the
resolve of the townsfolks to meet any challenges that come their way, shall
also remain steadfast. What better way to celebrate that kind of resiliency
than through a madly pulsating festivity.
