By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
Rhythms of Faith: Loboc’s Bolibongkingking meets Sinulog in a Historic 2026 celebration
On January 25 2026, the quiet town of Loboc, known as the music center of Bohol, witnessed a momentous fusion of tradition and triumph. Bolibongkingking, a century-old dance offering to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the town’s second fiesta patron, has long been performed with its own distinct rhythm and steps, separate from the Sinulog.
Loboc’s unique cultural heartbeat is also marked by the longest Christmas celebration in the region, which culminates on February 2 with the Candelaria and the Feast of the Presentation, celebrated through the townsfolk’s SUROY. Ang mga musikero sa Loboc mosuroy sa panaygon, traveling from barangay to barangay, their scheduled visits eagerly awaited by families.
While many towns in Bohol have their own Sinug during fiestas, the barrio musicians are slowly vanishing and the traditional tulonggon instruments once housed in chapel towers are gradually disappearing. Yet, music and rhythm remain in the soul of Loboc’s people—they sing, dance, and flow with the river’s current during short cruises, savoring fresh air and the surrounding flora.
This year, 2026, the Tagbilaran contingent entered the Sinulog street-dancing competition for the first time and emerged as grand champion. Their performance wove together the rhythm and steps of Bolibongkingking with the Sinulog, creating a harmonious blend that resonated with both musical traditions. The achievement sparked pride across Bohol, and the local government of Loboc publicly congratulated Tagbilaran for honoring the Bolibongkingking, a dance offering to the Blessed Virgin, alongside the Sinulog, a tribute to the Child Jesus—mother and child inseparable.
The success, however, is not measured merely by prize money from LGU coffers. It reflects a deep passion for arts, culture, and heritage, sustained by ongoing community programs and countless unsung contributors whose joy lies in their craft.
As I listened to DYTR, the LGU of Loboc extended its congratulations, and I recalled Ma’am Ekit Butalid, whose memory lives on in a choir from Songculan that sang “Ave Maria” blended with “I Believe” at her burial—a beautiful testament to her musical legacy.
My heartfelt words of congratulations also go to Alma Taldo and Gardy Labad for the thriving Loboc Children’s Choir, whose lives and passion continue to intertwine, keeping the town’s rhythm alive for this generation and the generations to come.
