Festival immortalizes Bicol folk song

Bicol Region takes pride in having a regional folk song that captures the character and aspirations of its people. “Sarung Banggi” is Bicol’s signature ballad, and arguably one of the country’s most popular and well-loved folk songs.

Written by Potenciano Gregorio of Libog town (now Sto. Domingo) in Albay, the song literally means “one night.” It tells about an enchanted evening encounter between a love-struck man and a lovely rural lass.

 It was written on May 10, 1910 and the song was arranged for a band by Gregorio in 1918 and performed by Banda de Libog, the municipal brass band. Because of its growing popularity, the composer arranged it for symphony orchestra in 1930.

He joined the famed Philippine Constabulary Band under Col. Water Loving and was named its representative to the San Francisco World Expo in 1939. He died of pneumonia en route to the event and was buried at an obscure grave at La Loma Cemetery.

This rich musical tradition takes center stage once more as the municipality of Sto. Domingo holds the Sarung Banggi Festival this month to celebrate Gregorio’s 133rd birthday and the song’s 113th composition anniversary.

Now on its 13th edition, the Festival will be highlighted by various musical and cultural events capped by an intimate evening street parade on May 25 in keeping with the theme of the song Sarung Banggi. 

Sto. Domingo Mayor Herbie Aguas said the festivity would showcase Gregorio’s musical legacy, the town’s gift of music, as well as its natural wonders.

The town is known for its charming Church of St. Dominic where Gregorio was baptized and later would write “dotok” or religious music. The town also boasts fine black sand beaches, natural springs, and the majestic view of the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano.

Gregorio is honored in a mausoleum that also houses his musical memorabilia. It was built in 2006 after his remains were exhumed in May 2005 and brought home for a municipal vigil and reinterred with military honors. 

In 2010, the Sangguniang Bayan proclaimed Gregorio a Municipal Artist and institutionalized the Sarung Banggi Festival.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, due to Gregorio’s monumental contribution, proclaimed Sto. Domingo as the arts and culture center of Albay. He said that there are plans to form musical ensembles and visual arts group to make the town a repository of music to immortalize the musical legend’s heritage.