SINULOG 2020: Facts about the song ‘Bato Balani sa Gugma’

If one happens to attend all or one of the Novena masses at the Basilica del Santo Niño during the Sinulog season, one would know that the best moment during the mass is when mass attendees wave their hands in the air and sing the song Bato Balani sa Gugma (which literally translates, ‘Magnet of Love’).

SINULOG 2020: Facts about the song ‘Bato Balani sa Gugma’

Bato Balani sa Gugma, which is also called ‘Gozos’ – after the popular Spanish song form gozo – is a song of thanksgiving. Gozo was a popular song form in Spain in honor of the Blessed Virgin which was used since the 5th century and was brought to the Philippines by the missionary friars. The song “Bato Balani sa Gugma” is sung in praise for Sto. Niño de Cebu. Some devotees would often sing the song with tears running down their faces as they believe the song to be very powerful and miraculous.

According to a Cebu Daily News editorial made by Madrileña de la Cerna the origin of the song is up to debate. In 1985, however, Bato Balani sa Gugma was institutionalized by the Archdiocese of Cebu during a meeting to come up with something “meaningful and lasting” to help celebrate the feast of the Sto. Niño. In the years since then, Bato Balani sa Gugma became a staple hymn for the solemn aspect of the Sinulog festivities.