Bulating of Malbog

(Boling-Boling of Catanauan, Quezon)

(Headress of vines and leaves, Boling-Boling)

Covering the whole body with mud and putting on a headdress made of leaves and twigs is an age-old practice in Catanauan, Quezon observed from Sunday to Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday that signals the start of the Lenten Season. They call it “Boling-Boling”, said to have been adopted from ‘boling’, a Visayan word for ‘dirt’. Other practitioners, however, have resorted to wearing any costume that they may fancy “while others imitate anybody they despise and make fun of them".

(Bulating of Brgy. Malbog in Boac is a similar practice shown in the following photos by Gerry Jamilla)


(Taking Bulating to town as part of the Lenten parade).

The Boling-Boling ritual is undertaken as part of the spiritual cleansing and preparation needed by the religious with the advent of the Lenten season.

On several occasions the now popular "Boling-Boling Festival" of Catanauan has joined the highly successful "Aliwan Festival" annual competitions held at the CCP Complex. Aliwan has been dubbed as the 'Mother of all Festivals' attracting competitors from all over the Philippine archipelago.

MALBOG'S BULATING

In Brgy. Malbog of Boac, a similar practice said to have been started by one family in earlier years was revived in 2001, as part of the municipaity’s tourism program. Called “Bulating” the practice is said to be an act of humility before God and/or another form of thanksgiving.

Boling-Boling photos courtesy of Sidney Snoeck; Bulating photos courtesy of Gerry Jamilla.