Sublian Festival is an annual religious and cultural festival held in Batangas City, Philippines. The festival lasts for two weeks and culminates on July 23, coinciding with the city's founding anniversary. It honors the town patrons: the Holy Cross in Bauan and Agoncillo, and the Santo Niño (Holy Child) in Batangas City.
The festival is recognized by the Department of Tourism and is included in their Calendar of Events.
The festival's name is derived from the "Subli", a traditional dance indigenous to the province of Batangas. The term "Subli" is a portmanteau of two Tagalog words: subsub (meaning "falling on the head") and bali (meaning "broken" or "bent"). This etymology reflects the movements of the male dancers, who appear to be lame or crooked during the performance.
According to local folklore, the Subli dance originated in the town of Alitagtag during the Spanish colonial era in 1595. The story involves a woman who found a crucifix (Holy Cross) near a tree while gathering water. It is said that a miracle occurred where her pail filled with water as she prayed before the cross. The Subli was originally a ceremonial worship dance performed in front of the Holy Cross.
The modern Sublian Festival was established on July 23, 1988, by then-Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha. It was created to coincide with the annual observance of Batangas City's cityhood. The primary objective of the festival was to revive the cultural practice of the Subli dance, which is considered a symbol of the Batangueño identity.
By 2025, the festival marked its 38th year with the theme "Masaya ang Sama-sama, Tuloy-tuloy na Pag-unlad" (). The Cultural Center of the Philippines has recognized the Batangas City government as a regional art center in Luzon for its efforts in cultural preservation.
The core of the festival is the performance of the Subli. It is a devotional dance that combines poetry, movement, and music, typically accompanied by drums and chanting.
Academic research indicates that the Subli has evolved into different renditions across the province. Dr. Elvira Rivera-Mirano noted three distinct styles associated with specific locations:
The Talumpok version is often considered the oldest and serves as the basis for the street dancing competitions held during the festival.
The festival spans two weeks and includes various traditional and cultural events.
In 2020, the Sublian Festival was recognized as the "Most Outstanding Religious Festival" at the Philippine Live Entertainment and Arts Festival (LEAF) Awards.