Loboc mounts first Suba Festival

LOBOC, Bohol, Dec 16 (PIA) – In celebration and in tribute to the river of life, Lobocanons mount the first Suba Festival, two years after typhoon Odette poured rampaging waters into the Loboc watershed, elevating water levels and drowning may houses along the river banks and low-lying areas in the town.

Perhaps, this is our tribute to the river, which ahs prominently played significant roles in the lives of the people, shared municipal administrator Christine Mae Digal.

Loboc River, which has been the inland market during pre-Spanish until the Hispanic Period, allowed for faster transport and a calm waterway for goods going up and down stream, allowing bamboo rafts and heavy trade boats to get to the town some 10 kilometers from the Loay estuary.

A waterway that lazily winds through verdant mangrove forests and riverside communities, the river is also steeped with myths and legends, of spirits, giants and encantos that protect the river.

This also anchors a common belief that the mythical creatures are the keepers of the river.

It was a common belief that the river used to take lives, that people believe singing while paddling or traversing through the river appeases the spirits, a possible reason why the popular river cruises would always feature musical performances.

Although the river is life for the town, occurrences of overflowing river is common especially that the river is now heavily silted and the watershed has seen the reduction of trees and forests, sending the rains in the mountains directly into the river channel.

Many Lobocanons see that every time the river overflows and floods the town, the people have somehow angered the guardians of the river.

With this, councilor Efren Mandin proposed getting back to the river’s role and giving it its due recognition with a festival, Digal said.

He saw the river as the local government unit’s biggest blessing, and this has to be given its proper recognition.

The Suba Festival then came as another potential tourist ace for the town, Digal shared.

The Festival, set December 16, is also a reminder of Odette and how the river expressed its wrath, flooding the town, and killing at least one who refused to evacuate, Digal added.

The festival opened with a fluvial parade, with the Loboc Brass Band providing the music while boats boarded by guests took to the Loboc River. The town had Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Congresswoman Alexie Tutor and local officials.

There was also a reenactment of the Loboc Church history, and a short Bolibongkingking, the town’s ritual dancing for the lady of Guadalupe.

A short program followed with local cultural groups including the Loboc Children’s Choir and Sug-ong Rondalla, which won the provincial rondalla contest.

In the afternoon, dragon boats from the Bohol Paddlers Association Inc took to the river for their demonstrations, even as the river cruise boats glide past the paddlers.

Bringing the river’s cultural relevance, the Search for Engkantadia sa Loboc took to the stage in the afternoon.

Eight candidates representing cluster of barangays in Loboc donned on their engkantadia-inspired costumes and took to the task of advocating for the protection and conservation of the river.

And since the river has its tributaries, candidates took the task further by identifying themselves with the river goddesses and spirits bringing in the call to protect Loboc River. (PIABohol)

ENGKANTADIA SA SUBA Candidates for Engkantadia sa Suba in time for the first Suba Festival sa Loboc. December 16 took to the spirits of the environment to inspire the of their assumed personalities during the pageant. (PIAbohol)

DRAGON IN THE RIVER. A dragonboat slices through the water as a river cruise passes. Dragonboats were used when a great flood submerged most of the Poblacion, to rescue people from their rooftops. (PIABohol)