Barangay Bula of General Santos City celebrated its 19th Isda-Isdaan Festival on January 15, rooted in gratitude and devotion to Señor Sto. Niño.
What began in 2005 as a small event honoring the bountiful harvest from the sea has grown into a vibrant festival today that showcases the rich cultural heritage and faith of the barangay.
Barangay Councilor and Tourism Committee Chairperson Analie Vargas Lajo said the festival started during the peak of Barangay Bula’s fishing industry.
“The fiesta existed long before, but in 2005, our fishing magnates started the Isda-Isdaan Festival to complement the celebration. It began with small contests and an Ati-Atihan-style dance, which started at the church,” Lajo shared.
The barangay local government eventually took over the event as it grew larger and noisier.
“Since then nagtuloy-tuloy, until na narecognize na siya ng city. So ngayon continuous na namin siyang ginagawa,” she added.
(Since then, we have continued it annually, and it has gained recognition from the city.)
Celebrating resilience through dance and pageantry
A major highlight of the festival is the Sinulog De Bula street dance competition, where participants from different puroks portray stories of resilience and thanksgiving through their performances.
“The costumes and dances emphasize our connection to the sea and our gratitude to Sto. Niño for the blessings we receive,” Lajo explained.
The barangay’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Joshua P. Manansala emphasized the creativity and hard work of the youth.
“Grabe ang preparation sa atong mga contingents (The contingents really prepared for this)—very creative, very colorful. This festival is not just a celebration of our culture but also highlights the talents of our youth, the Bulawans,” he said.
Manansala added that the SK plays a vital role in supporting the festival, especially in encouraging youth participation.
“The SK ensures the youth showcase their talents while being guided in their journey. Moving forward, the Isda-Isdaan will open its doors to more participants, not just by purok, to make the celebration more inclusive,” he vowed.
Another much-anticipated event is the Marina De Bula pageant, which crowns the Festival Queen.
This year’s winner, Danica M. Olmillo of Tribu Bugsay, expressed her gratitude after her fourth attempt at the crown.
“Winning the title feels overwhelming, especially since I get to dance with Sto. Niño as part of my performance,” Olmillo said with pride.
She also encouraged aspiring Marina de Bula contestants to embrace the journey and trust the process.
“Dance with your heart and with feelings, because Sto. Niño is the one who is truly dancing with us. Without him, we wouldn’t be here,” she added, inspiring others to see the competition as both a personal and spiritual celebration.
This year’s contest featured mesmerizing performances that combined traditional Sinulog dance moves —an iconic dance characterized by rhythmic two-steps and fluid arm movements symbolizing prayer and thanksgiving—with vibrant costumes, celebrating the faith and resilience of the community.
A gathering of communities and cultures
The Isda-Isdaan Festival has become one of the most anticipated events in General Santos City, drawing visitors from various parts of SOCCSKSARGEN and beyond.
“It’s amazing to see how people from all over come together to celebrate. The performances, costumes, and dances showcase not just Barangay Bula’s heritage but the rich culture of General Santos City as a whole,” said Tristan James Catapang, a spectator from Barangay Dadiangas West.
Catapang emphasized the festival’s dual significance as a religious and cultural event.
“As a religious country and the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, we celebrate not only our identity as Generals but also our shared faith and heritage,” he said.
Faith and festivity in harmony
This year the Isda-Isdaan Festival integrated colorful cultural activities with solemn religious practices.
At dawn, people were hitting the road for the fluvial parades around Sarangani Bay, holy masses, and the traditional Sinulog dance, which were integral parts of the fiesta.
“Even before the pandemic, people would flock to Bula during the fiesta because it is known for its lively and colorful celebrations. It’s our way of showing gratitude for all the blessings we’ve received, especially the abundance of fish that sustains our community,” Lajo noted.
With the support of the city government of General Santos, the 19th Isda-Isdaan Festival delivered a grand showcase of culture, faith, and community spirit, leaving an indelible mark for everyone to celebrate the uniqueness of Barangay Bula every year. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
