E.B. Magalona to Celebrate the 3rd Sug-alaw Festival on Jan. 17-19

The Municipality of E. B. Magalona, in partnership with St.

Joseph the Worker Parish, will celebrate the 3rd Sug-alaw Festival from January 17 to 19, 2025. Mayor Marvin Malacon, together with St. Joseph the Worker Parish, headed by Fr.



Ernie Larida, has prepared a series of meaningful cultural and religious activities to mark the third edition of the Sug-alaw Festival. This year's theme is “Padayon ang Kasanag kag Pagsanyog sa 2025.” Mayor Malacon invites the public to join the Saraviahanon community in celebrating the 3rd Sug-alaw Festival.

“Through the years, Señor Sto. Niño has abundantly blessed our beloved municipality. It is with hearts full of gratitude and thanksgiving that I invite everyone to join us in praising and honoring Señor Sto.

Niño through our 3rd Sug-alaw Festival, which also marks the 52nd year of Hermano Mayores del Señor Sto. Niño,” the mayor stated. “May the blessings of Señor Sto.

Niño be upon all Saraviahanon homes and all of us,” Malacon added. History of the Sug-alaw Festival The Sug-alaw Festival is the youngest of the three main festivals of the Municipality of E. B.

Magalona. It was conceptualized in 2022 by Mayor Marvin Malacon in honor of Señor Sto. Niño and in celebration of the 50th year of the Hermano Mayores del Señor Sto.

Niño, held on January 15, 2023. Since then, the festival has been celebrated every third Sunday of January, as per Municipal Ordinance No. 01-2023, passed by the Sangguniang Bayan, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Eric Matulac and approved by Mayor Marvin Malacon.

"Sug-alaw" is a Hiligaynon term meaning "to welcome," while devotees chant in Spanish, “Alabare! Alabare!” which means, “I will praise you.” In 2023, the 1st Sug-alaw Festival was co-organized by the Municipality of E. B.

Magalona, led by Mayor Marvin Malacon, and St. Joseph the Worker Parish, then headed by Rev. Fr.

Ernesto Salvador, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Arnel Pabalate.

In 2024, the 2nd Sug-alaw Festival was once again co-organized by the Municipality of E. B. Magalona and St.

Joseph the Worker Parish, now headed by Rev. Fr. Ernie Larida, with Parochial Vicar Rev.

Fr. Darcy Galas. Each year, the festival garners strong support from Saraviahanon devotees of Señor Sto.

Niño, including Mayor Marvin Malacon and First Lady Mae Ross Malacon, who were former president and first lady of the Hermano Mayores del Señor Sto. Niño. Although the Sug-alaw Festival began only in 2023, the tradition of passing and welcoming the image of Señor Sto.

Niño has been practiced in E. B. Magalona for 52 years.

The tradition dates back to January 28, 1973, when Fr. Vicente Pelobello, then the parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, founded the Hermano Mayores del Señor Sto.

Niño. The first Hermano and Hermana Mayores were then-Mayor Luis Magalona and his wife, Manuela Magalona. Since then, members of the Hermano Mayores del Señor Sto.

Niño have recommended one family each year to be the Hermano and Hermana Mayores. This family is tasked with hosting the image of Señor Sto. Niño for the year.

It is believed that the Señor Sto. Niño brings prosperity to the family that hosts the image, making it a blessing to welcome the image into one’s home. As part of the celebration, the Hermano and Hermana Mayores prepare a banquet for the devotees to warmly welcome Señor Sto.

Niño into their home. In 1980, the parish began selecting young boys to be the Knights of Sto. Niño, with Glen Boteros as the first knight.

In 1981, the young Marvin Malacon was chosen as the Knight of Sto. Niño. This tradition continues today.

Each year, Saraviahanon families from all walks of life gather at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, bringing their best offerings, images of Señor Sto. Niño, and young boys in Sto.

Niño costumes for a blessing. The ceremony includes the crowning of the religious image and the installation of Señor Sto. Niño at the residence of the new Hermano and Hermana Mayores.

The celebration highlights the Saraviahanon culture, deeply rooted in faith and devotion, and has withstood the test of time. Alabare, Alabare, Señor Sto. Niño!.