The streets of Surigao City pulsed with life on Tuesday morning as thousands gathered for the 41st Bonok-Bonok Festival—a jubilant convergence of dance, devotion, and heritage. Waves of color unfurled across the city as dancers in elaborate costumes filled the avenues, their movements echoing the rhythms of tradition that have bound Surigaonons for generations.
This year’s celebration carried the theme “Kultura Surigaonon, Isadjaw! Isangyaw!”—a call to both dance and proclaim the vibrancy of local culture. Eleven contingents stepped forward, competing in two categories: the Bonok-Bonok-based category and the Festival of Festivals category; each one eager not just to win, but to tell the stories of their people through choreography and song.
By late afternoon, the anticipation shifted to the grand showdown, where artistry, athleticism, and cultural pride would collide in one unforgettable spectacle.
More Than Just a Festival
For Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II, Bonok-Bonok is more than street dancing—it is a celebration of gratitude.
“Bonok-Bonok is not just a festival of dance. It is a thanksgiving festivity,” Dumlao said, reminding the crowd of the tradition’s roots. Born from the community’s resilience after Typhoon Nitang in 1984, the festival has since become a living symbol of hope and renewal.
The word “Bonok” itself means “downpour,” symbolizing blessings granted through the intercession of Surigao’s patron saint, St. Nicholas de Tolentino. To chant “Bonok-Bonok” is to invoke abundance, a prayer expressed through movement, music, and community.
“When our dancers perform, they are not only showcasing talents, they are telling our story,” Dumlao added. “When we support our artists, we support tourism, livelihood, and education. And when our children learn our traditions, they gain confidence to lead with pride in their identity as true Surigaonons.”
A Celebration of Community Spirit
Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers, and other dignitaries joined the festivities, a testament to how Bonok-Bonok has grown into a major cultural event that draws national recognition.
Prizes reflected the prestige of the occasion: PHP1 million awaited the champion of the Festival of Festivals category, while PHP500,000 was at stake for the top Bonok-Bonok-based contingent.
For City Tourism Officer Roselyn Merlin, however, the true measure of success went beyond awards.
“We are thankful for the support of the administration of Mayor Dumlao, the different departments, line agencies, the security sector, and other stakeholders,” she said, noting the collaborative spirit that keeps the festival alive each year.
