The Sinulog Festival is celebrated in honor of the Santo Nino. It is celebrated every third Sunday of January ad is the most popular festival in Cebu. While the Sinulog Festival may be the grandest of all festivals, there is one celebration that can be considered as important as the Sinulog. This festival is the Kaplag Festival.
Kaplag Festival – image source: Kaplag-Buwad Festival Facebook Page
Kaplag Festival
The Kaplag Festival or the Kaplag Buwad Festival is celebrated on the day the image of the Santo Nino was found by Juan Camus, a Spanish soldier. He was a part of the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to Cebu. The word “kaplag” means discovery in Cebuano. The festival is celebrated every April 28.
The Kaplag Festival or the Kaplag Buwad Festival is celebrated on the day the image of the Santo Nino was found by Juan Camus, a Spanish soldier. He was a part of the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to Cebu. The word “kaplag” means discovery in Cebuano. The festival is celebrated every April 28.
Kaplag Festival – image source: Kaplag-Buwad Festival Facebook Page
But, you might ask how “kaplag” is related to the “buwad” or dried fish. While Fr. Trinidad Silva said the present-day location of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño is where the image was found, the basilica extends to San Nicolas. This gives the barangay the reason to celebrate the festival. In addition, the barangay is a major supplier of this Cebuano delicacy.
Kaplag Festival – image source: Kaplag-Buwad Festival Facebook Page
Similar to the Sinulog, the Kaplag Festival or the Kaplag Buwad Festival has a street-dancing and a ritual dance competition. In addition, the festival also has a religious aspect since it celebrates the discovery of the image of the Holy Child.
Kaplag Festival – image source: Kaplag-Buwad Festival Facebook Page
The Image of the Santo Nino
When Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu, he was able to convince Rajah Humabon, his wife, and followers to be baptized as Christians. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Magellan gave the queen an image of the Santo Nino as a gift. After Magellan was killed in Mactan, no one knew what happened to the image. When the expedition of Legazpi arrived in the island, Camus found the image inside a partially-burned hut.
When Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu, he was able to convince Rajah Humabon, his wife, and followers to be baptized as Christians. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Magellan gave the queen an image of the Santo Nino as a gift. After Magellan was killed in Mactan, no one knew what happened to the image. When the expedition of Legazpi arrived in the island, Camus found the image inside a partially-burned hut.
Kaplag Festival – image source: Kaplag-Buwad Festival Facebook Page
The convent and church of the Augustinians were later built in the location of the hut. This church was dedicated to the Santo Nino and resulted in the establishment of the Santo Nino Church. It became the cradle of Christianity in Cebu. The church was later conferred the title of “Basilica Minore” by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
Kaplag Festival – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon
The Sinulog Festival is the most popular festival in Cebu. But, Cebuanos should remember that if the image of the Santo Nino was not found by Juan Camus, there would be no Sinulog. So, it is important for us to celebrate the Kaplag Festival in the same way we celebrate the Sinulog.
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