Patunob Festival is a cultural and religious festival in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes every second Friday of February. It is one of the grandest annual Marian celebrations in Mindanao.
Etymology
Patunob comes from the local word that means “to be stepped on”. It describes the act of seeking blessing from the patroness by having Her image touch on the devotee’s body.
History of Patunob Festival
Patunob Festival is held during the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes enshrined in the eponymous parish church in Binuangan.
It is a “healing ritual” and devotion to the miraculous image and apparition of the Blessed Virgin in Lourdes, France to St. Bernadette Soubirous in the 19th century. Devotees flock to the parish church, which is also a shrine of the patroness, in order to seek blessings, favors, and healing from various illnesses.
The healing ritual involves a prayer warrior holding up the image of the patroness and then lightly touching it on the different parts of the body of the devotee, including head and shoulders. It is believed that through this rite, the patroness would grant their request as well as recovery from ailments.
According to the tradition, the patunob ritual first began when a Spanish missionary discovered the image of the patroness in a spring inside a cave in what was called Daang Lungsod (Old Town) in Binuangan in 1920. Throughout history, the image was in the safekeeping of Salvañas and Zagados clans.
The water was made into a pool from which devotees can take a dip, drink, and offer prayers to the image that was installed. It is believed that the water and image are miraculous, with the ability to cleanse both body and soul. The pool has since been known as the “Healing Pool of Misamis Oriental”. A shrine was built nearby that later became Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church.
Patunob Festival Activities
The novena masses are held for 9 days. On the feast day, a pontifical mass is celebrated. On top of the religious activities, Patunob Festival also boasts of different shows and presentations, foremost of which is the drum and lyre competition and the Patunob sa Birhen competition. The drum and lyre competition is participated by different schools while the Patunob sa Birhen are enjoined by dance contingents representing LGUs. There is also a procession caravan.
How to reach Binuangan, Misamis Oriental
One can book a flight to Laugindingan Airport and it will be about three hours of travel to the municipality of Binuangan.
References
- Patunob Festival. Tourism Promotions Board – Philippines. Retrieved January 8, 2023
- Patunob sa Birhen sa Lourdes. Pilipino Mirror. February 14, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2023
- Recthie T. Paculba. Patunob Festival: A way to renew vows, celebrate good health. One Mindanao – Philippine Information Agency Mindanao Volume 2 No 141. March 8, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2023
- Healing pool sa Misamis Oriental. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. March 23, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2023
Patunob Festival Summary
Name Patunob Festival Celebration Culture, Religion Church Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church Contact 0991 437 0195 Country Philippines Date Second Friday of February Duration 10 days Email shrineofourladyoflourdesshrine@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com Location Binuangan, Misamis Oriental Organizer Municipal Government of Binuangan, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Binuangan Patron Our Lady of Lourdes
| Name | Patunob Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion |
| Church | Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church |
| Contact | 0991 437 0195 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | Second Friday of February |
| Duration | 10 days |
| shrineofourladyoflourdesshrine@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Location | Binuangan, Misamis Oriental |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Binuangan, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Binuangan |
| Patron | Our Lady of Lourdes |