The Tawilis Festival was first celebrated in 2009 as Agoncillo’s official entry to the province-wide Ala Eh Festival, also known as the Festival of Festivals in Batangas. Over time, it evolved into a major local celebration that showcases the town’s pride, unity, and gratitude for the lake that sustains its people.
The Sublian Festival holds great historical and cultural significance in the Philippines, particularly in Batangas City where it is celebrated every July 23. Rooted in devotion and tradition, the festival centers around the “subli,” a traditional dance that originated in the towns of Bauan and Alitagtag. The word “subli” is derived from the Batangueño words subsób (to fall with the head bowed) and líang (a sacred dance or place), reflecting the humility and reverence displayed in the dance. Historically, subli was performed as a religious ritual in honor of the Holy Cross of Alitagtag and Bauan, blending pre-colonial spiritual practices with Catholic beliefs introduced during Spanish colonization.
