BILA BILA FESTIVAL IN MARINDUQUE

Hemmed in by jungle-clad mountains with obscured cave formations and lapped by powdery white sand beaches, Marinduque  has such an enticing raw beauty that only intrepid travelers who dare to explore it can unravel. Best known for Moriones Festival celebrated during the Lenten season, this bountiful province has another festival  that is worthy of attention – Bila Bila Festival.

WHAT IS BILA BILA FESTIVAL?

Bila Bila means butterfly in the local language in Marinduque. The province is known as the “Butterfly Capital of the Philippines” with roughly 11 butterfly farms scattered mainly in the towns of Boac and Gasan. Hence, Bila Bila Festival (Butterfly Festival), is a celebration of butterflies and its conservation as well as the thriving butterfly farming in Marinduque.

WHEN IS BILA BILA FESTIVAL CELEBRATED?

Bila Bila Festival was originally celebrated during the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion – every 8th of December. But because the festival sometimes gets cancelled due to the rainy season, it was eventually moved to the summer month of May during the Flores de Mayo, a special Marian devotion.

HISTORY OF BILA BILA FESTIVAL IN MARINDUQUE

A butterfly event was believed to be first conceptualized by a barangay official who was very passionate about butterflies. The event became a hit and was replicated by other towns.

Eventually in 2002, a municipal ordinance entitled “Tree Farming and Butterfly Propagation Ordinance of 2002” was founded and declared Boac as a sanctuary for all butterfly species and ordered the preservation of the environment to protect them. This ordinance also started Bila Bila Festival. As one of its section states, “Whenever appropriate, the release of the butterflies will eventually become a regular feature of social gatherings, such as weddings, birthdays, baptisms, anniversary celebrations, and will become a regular feature of the traditional “putong” (crown) and welcoming of dignitaries, visitors, and guests.”

PUTONG OF MARINDUQUE

I was lucky enough to experience this on our recent trip to Marinduque for the Bila Bila Festival organized by the Department of Tourism – MIMAROPA. During the traditional “putong” (also called “tubong”) held at Marinduque Capitol where we were welcomed by the dancing manunubongs (ritual initiators).

Putong is believed to be a ritual dance of thanksgiving, healing, and veneration, a ceremony unique to Marinduque, which has been practiced for decades. It is observed differently in each town. For example, in Boac, where we experienced putong, there version is known as Sinalampakutan (sari-saring putong) or Putong ng mga taga-bayan.

The manunubongs carried with them a basket full of flowers, palm leaves, and money, and a hand-crafted crown while dancing. The crown is then placed on our heads and the contents of the baskets showered on us.

BUTTERFLY FARMS IN MARINDUQUE

As per the National Museum of Marinduque, of the 927 butterfly species in the Philippines , one-third are endemic. And 600 species of these are found in Marinduque. This explains the thriving butterfly farm in Marinduque, contributing to about 85% of the Philippines export of pupa and butterflies to the US, Canada, Middles East, Europe, Singapore, and New Zealand.

As mentioned above, there are about 11 butterfly farms around Marinduque. We visited MARL Insects and Butterfly Culture founded in 1990 by Leodegario Layron, a butterfly breeder. They have a butterfly garden oozing with plants, flowers, orchids, and butterflies. They also cultivate butterflies and sell pupae overseas.

• MARL Insects and Butterfly Culture
  Address: Brgy.Amoingan, Boac, Marinduque
• Open Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  Contact #: 0928 410 1249

HOW TO GET TO MARINDUQUE

DALAHICAN PORT TO MOGPOG, MARINDUQUE

1.RIDE A BUS FROM CUBAO OR BUENDIA TO DALAHICAN PORT, IN LUCENA (QUEZON).

JAC Liner bus has hourly trips daily from 2:00 AM to 10 PM at JAC Liner Cubao Bus Terminal and midnight trips at 11:00 PM to 12:00 PM. They have 24 hours operation at their Cubao and Buendia Bus Terminal to Dalahican Port in Lucena, Quezon. Bus fare is roughly ₱324 ($6), and travel time is roughly 4 hours.

Alternatively, you can ride a JAC Liner Bus directly to Marinduque at JAC Liner Cubao Terminal. Boarding time is 3:00 PM, departure time is 4:00 PM.

2.RIDE A FERRY TO BALANACAN PORT IN MOGPOG MARINDUQUE.

• Dalahican Port (Lucena, Quezon) to Balanacan Port (Mogpog, Marinduque)

At Dalahican Port, board a ferry to Balanacan Port, Marinduque. Regular ferry fare via Starhorse Shipping Line is roughly ₱470 ($9), student fare is ₱400 ($7), senior citizen fare is ₱335 ($6), and half fare is ₱235 ($4). Travel time is roughly 2.5 – 3 hours.
Montenegro Line also has daily trips to Balanacan Port. Ferry fare starts at ₱470 ($9).

WHERE TO STAY IN MARINDUQUE

•  BALAR HOTEL and SPA
• Location: Boac, Marinduque
• CHECK RATES HERE or BOOK HERE

• BOAC HOTEL
• Location: Boac, Marinduque
• BOOK HERE 

• NINE BALCONIES ISLAND STAY
• Location: Boac, Marinduque
• CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE or BOOK HERE

• MARINA MARINDUQUE HOTEL AND RESORT
• Location: Boac, Marinduque
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

BILA BILA FESTIVAL, MARINDUQUE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Marinduque Itinerary for Bila Bila Festival created by Dream Favors Travel and Tours, a DOT-accredited tour operator in Marinduque. DOT MIMAROPA booked a tour with them during our recent trip to Marinduque.

• Dream Favors Travel and Tours
• Contact #: +63 969 517 6325 / (042) 332 0371
• Email: [email protected]
• Tour Inclusion: Hotel accommodation, lunch, dinner, breakfast, tour guide, van service, entrances or environmental fees

 ALSO READ:

MARINDUQUE TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY

MANIWAYA ISLAND (TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY)

HOW TO GET TO POCTOY WHITE BEACH

About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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