Agoncillians Traditions
Traditons of Agoncillo Batangas SUBLI It's not hard to see that the Subli, a ceremonial worship dance popular in Batangas and other parts of Luzon, originated in Alitagtag and Bauan, Batangas. After all, the prayer that runs throughout the hours-long ritual recounts a miracle story involving Alitagtag (then part of Bauan Sur) and its Patron Saint, The Holy Cross. While there aren't enough records to show how the age-old practice spread beyond Alitagtag and into adjacent towns, there's no doubting that Subli is still alive and authentic, particularly in Agoncillo. Unlike the celebratory Subli, which is normally displayed as highlight performances in cultural gatherings, the Agoncillians somehow remained loyal to the core of what could be regarded a community, music-driven prayer and dance. The first section of the ceremony is similar to the Alitagtag version in that it begins with the beating of the kalatong, an ancient wooden percussion instrument played with two stic...