Bato Balani sa GugmaImage Source: jacobimages.com

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

Bato Balani sa Gugma, which is also called ‘Gozos’ – after the popular Spanish song form gozo – is a song of thanksgiving. The song is sung in praise for Sto. Niño de Cebu, the child Jesus of Cebu Island. Some devotees believe the song to be very powerful that they would often sing the song with tears running down their face.

According to a recent Cebu Daily News editorial made by Madrileña de la Cerna the origin of the song is up to debate. What is sure though is that in 1985 Bato-Balani sa Gugma was institutionalized by the Archdiocese of Cebu during their 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 became a staple hymn for the solemn aspect of the Sinulog festival.

LYRICS:

Bato balani sa gugma,
Sa daang tawo palangga.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGGILABA

Dinhi sa siyudad sa Sugbo
ang matahum mong larawan.
sa unang mga misyonero,
sa usang balay hipalgan.
Kanila ikaw nagpakita
gikan da sa imong gugma.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGGILABA

Giludhan ka ug gisimba
niadtong mga kaparian
sa tanang mga katawhan
sa mga ponoan nila:
kay sa pagtan-aw kanimo
Kristiyanos sila nahimo.

KANAMO MALOOY KA UNTA
NGA KANIMO NANGILABA