Residents of barangays Cupang and Buli in Muntinlupa City celebrated once again recently the Banyahan Festival to honor their patron saint Impong Kulas de Tolentino or Saint Nicolas de Tolentino.
Similar to the celebration of the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo and Sinulog of Cebu, the Banyahan Festival was preceded by a nine-day novena before the fiesta proper.
According to Muntinlupa City 2nd District Councilor Rodolfo "Dado" Moldez, the festival was highlighted by the "Sunduan" or the image of Saint Nicolas meeting St. Dominic de Guzman of Barangay Sucat and St. Roch of Montpelier of Barangay Alabang.
The three images were carved from the same log which was found floating at Laguna de Bay, according to lore.
The piece of wood reportedly oozed blood when efforts were made to split it for utilitarian use.
It was at that point that the decision was made to carve the saints' images from the log for Muntinlupa's three aforementioned barangays.
A native of Cupang, Moldez said Buli used to be a part of Cupang until it was given its present status as a barangay through an ordinance.
He said that devotion to Saint Nicholas reconnects the residents of Cupang and Buli.
A fluvial parade at Laguna de Bay has been held through the years as part of the festival, he added.
