The tradition of the Higante in Cavite City dates back to the Spanish colonial period. As early as 1896, giant papier-mâché figures were already part of the procession during the feast of the Mahal na Birhen ng Soledad, making Higante the original and historically rooted name of this beloved Christmas figure.
By the late 1940s to 1950s, Higantes became a major highlight of barrio celebrations, especially in San Rafael, Gangley, created by groups such as the Tagarinas Athletic Club. Some figures were modeled after real-life personalities like Hitler and Hirohito (later altered to show their defeat), while others copied popular comic characters such as Pamboy, Talimusak, Popeye, and Olive.
It was also called later on by the name “Bondying” which came from a famous Filipino komiks character created in the early 1950s by Mars Ravelo, a celebrated writer from Tanza, Cavite. Bondying portrayed a small boy in an oversized adult body—an image that matched the playful and exaggerated look of the dancing figures, which is why many began using the name Bondying for the Higantes.
The term “Bangenge” developed later with a different pop culture root. In the early 1970s, Bangenge was a Filipino komiks character portrayed as a bruha or witch-like figure known for speaking with the vowel “E” instead of other vowels. Children began imitating this character by creating simple homemade figures using a tiklis or tall cabbage stalk for the body, a small box for the head, wrapped in white paper, and decorated with shredded abaca sacks for hair. Because it was easy and inexpensive to make, many children copied it. Soon, even when the figures no longer resembled the original character, they were still called Bangenge.
By the 1980s, the way the Higantes danced - parang lasing, pasuray-suray, or bangag - further strengthened the street association with the name Bangenge.
✨ From Higante to Bondying to Bangenge, the name may change with every generation but the tradition remains a living and treasured symbol of Cavite City’s Christmas spirit.
TRIVIA c/o: Bert Santos and Leonida Santiago
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