Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
Mapping of Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Category: Performing Arts

NAME OF THE ELEMENT: Sto. Nino

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TYPE: [ ] Dance [ ] Literary Performance

[ ] Instrumental Music [ ] Indigenous form
[ ] Theater / Drama [ ] Other
[ ] Sung verse / Vocal Music ________________________

PHOTO: (if applicable)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RANGE OF THE ELEMENT: (Describe the place where intangible
heritage is practiced, even including the extent of the practice in neighboring areas or places)

Buenavista is the smallest of Marinduque's six towns, located on the southwestern portion of this island-
province. Inhabitants of this town speak Marinduque Tagalog with a blend of Masbate and Romblon dialectic
influences. Some of those living in the coastal areas trace their roots to Banton island in Romblon.

RELATED DOMAINS OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: (Tick appropriate box/es.)

[ ] Oral Tradition and expressions

[ ] Social practices, rituals and festive events
[ ] Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
[ ] Traditional craftsmanship
[ ] Other(s) ____________________________________

II. DESCRIPTION OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE

A. Summary of the element (Description of the history of the practice, occasion/season, processes
involved, procedures, beliefs associated, settings, aims and other pertinent data)
The Santo Nino is the oldest and most popular religious image kept in almost every
Catholic home and work places in the Philippines. The image played a significant role in the
propagation of the Catholic faith especially at the start of Christianity in the country, the first
image having been brought by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Many believe that the revered
image has the power to heal the sick, grant one’s wishes and so it has attracted countless
numbers of devotees.January is the month of Santo Nino Festivals where many towns, cities and
provinces pay homage to the Child Jesus through days of prayer that culminate in the holding of
street dances. Prominent among these street festivals are Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Dinagyang in
Iloilo and Sinulog in Cebu that over time have become major tourist draws.Many barangays in
Marinduque have likewise adopted the Sto. Nino as their patron and hold fiestas in honor of the
Holy Child, but the town of Buenavista has honored the same as its patron for over a hundred
years. Unlike most street dances Buenavista’s Sto. Nino Festival is not a competition but held
only for the sheer fun of it and for sharing of youth creativity. For costumes and accessories, the
Bagacay contingent apparently took off from their barangay-bred Tubaan festival that
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________
Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
extensively utilized coconut leaf sheath, flowers, coconut leaf splinters and husks. Theirs were
easily the most interesting festival costumes. The Lipata-Tungib contingent showed off abalone
seashells that abound in those coastal barangays. Many girls wore skirts in various colors,
textures and designs over black or beige tights and leotards or cycling shorts, while some wore
Filipiniana. Most applauded for their tight, exuberant, clean choreography was the Daykitin
group.Many Buenavistans of all ages lined up the major streets of town to watch the
performances. They cheered for their hometown boys and girls who all shouted the rallying cry
that echoed throughout this fascinating town, “Viva Santo Nino! Arriba Buenavista! Viva
Marinduque!”
It is a four-day festival of food, fun and family-friendly activities and events. It is held
annually in January.

B. Culture-bearer/s and practitioner/s of the element (Description of person/s or people practicing

the intangible heritage)Mode of transmission (Describe how the intangible practice is passed on)

The municipal government, in cooperation with the Department of Education and all the barangays decided
to hold a street-dancing festival inspired by the many Sto. Nino festivals staged throughout the country,
particularly those in the Visayan region, like Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals. The local government of
Buenavista invited the students from the different schools within the district to participate in the street
dancing.

D. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TANGIBLE MOVABLE HERITAGE USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:

No. Name of Photo Year Dimensions Material Use of

Object produced the
or object
estimated in the
age practice
Different Symbol
image of of
the Santo power
Niño to heal
the sick

Different Used in
kinds of the
custome street
dancing

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________
Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

Abalone
seashell
headband
and
necklace.

E. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT FLORA/FAUNA USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:

No. Name of Flora/Fauna Photo Use of the flora/fauna in the practice

NONE

III. STORIES/NARRATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________
Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
According of the informant, this festival was conducted to give honor to the Holy Child Niño
Jesus because of the miracles of the Holy Child such as the healing of the sick, there are couple who
have been married for a long time but don’t have a child who became devotee of the Santo NiÑo
because when they pray to the Holy Child they were given a child, there are other testimonies that
countless miracles had flowed into their lives after they opened their heart to the Sto. Nino.

IV. SIGNIFICANCE

Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, economic, social, political, spiritual and then explain

In religious aspect, this festival enhances the faith of the Vistans, even the young ones are inspired to
hear miracles and became interested in attending Novena masses in Honor of the Holy Child. The church
and our faith have always been our pillars of strength and highly regarded by the people for support or
guidance. Festivals are reminders of our past; it gives us a glimpse of our rich cultural heritage and at the
same time connects us to our families and loved ones.

We are dependent on social heritage, which is a mixture of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes,
festivals, folklore, beliefs and ideals not only makes us who we are but binds us to pass it on from one
generation to another. This event has historically been a great source of entertainment especially before
the advent of mass-produced entertainment. It divert peoples’ attention from their demanding lives and
amuse them in their leisure time.

It tells the story of the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity and because of
this history was passed on from generation to generation.

 It is recognized for its contribution to the generation of foreign exchange earnings, revenues,
investments, and the total growth of every municipality’s output. This festivals add tourism attraction and
influence the cultural and economic growth of the place. It also gives the local population an
opportunity to exchange information and experience, share culture, and help tourists to see how
inhabitants of a locality celebrate their holidays and follow traditions and customs.

V. ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE

A. CONDITION/STATUS OF THE PRACTICE

As per instruction from the local government it will be held regularly and all schools in the
District of Buenavista will join in the street dancing which soon will become a competition.

C. CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES: (Reasons for the condition/status)

For the participating schools in the District, the main problem that they encounter and
challenges them most is the fund to finance their needs in the preparation of the
materials/props, costume and other expenses. Time is another hindrances since most of the
participants are still studying and have less time to devote in their rehearsals.

C. MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________
Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM
Tick one or more boxes to identify the safeguarding measures that have been and are currently being
taken at the level of the community, provincial and/or national with regard to the element

[ ] transmission, particularly through formal and non-formal education

[ ] identification, documentation, research
[ ] preservation, protection
[ ] promotion, enhancement
[ ] revitalization

Description of Safeguarding Measures Taken:

To promote the aforementioned activity, the local government always remind the teachers and other Deped
personnel to be vigilant in disseminating the information.

With regards to the safety of the participants/people/visitors the PNP personnel are always visible in the area same
with the Barangay Tanod who look over the protection and security of everybody.

VI. REFERENCES

https://wikitravel.org/en/Festivals_and_Events_in_the_Philippines

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/ShowTopic-g294245-i3256-k5381466-o20-Philippines_DE_s-
Philippines.html

http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=FestivalsandEvents&func=all&pid=9241&tbl=0

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: (Tick appropriate box/es)

[ ] Audio/video recording
[ / ] Photographs and sketches
[ ] Others (e.g. Music notations etc.) __________________________
 

KEY INFORMANT/S:
(Include basic information on the informant’s
background)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________
Form 4B series January 2017

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

AGNES S. MALGAPO
63 years old
Teacher –Buenavista National High School
Pob. Buenavista Marinduque

REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:  

NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: LANNY N. LUNA  
DATE PROFILED: NOV. 9, 2019  

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Municipality/City of ________________________
Province of _______________________________
Region ___________________________________