December 7, 2008
The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession (GMP) is an annual gathering of parishes, private image owners, devotees (from all walks of life), religious, the army and yes even politicians all to pay homage to Mary, Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception.
This event is organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion and the Intramuros Administration (IA) and is a revival of an old Intramuros festivity in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which started on December 8th, 1619. Currently, at least 80 Marian images from various parts of the country, bearing different titles of the Blessed Virgin accross the naion participate in the procession, thus by the time the last carroza reaches Plaza Roma (fronting Manila Cathedral), carroza's at the start of the procession will have already completed the procession route inside Intramuros and will have probably completed packing and cleaning up the carroza ready to go home. I estimate that the procession runs close to 4 hours, but I'm not complaining neither do the participants and their respective "camareros and camareras" which seem to get more extravagant and more dedicated each year--the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is not just grand due to the number of participants, it's a whole lot more than that!
Minutes before the start of the procession, the frenzy and anticipation heightens...
The Hermanos mayores for this year’s celebration are Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Violago, Mrs. Violago quite noticeable wearing black in a sea of white Cofradia members, as she is also one of the sponsors for Our Lady of Porta Vaga which depicts Mary as the sorrowful mother.
The Army leads the procession, announcing its commencement after the opening prayers.
The first marian image in the procession line-up; a small but highly accoutered image of the sorrowful mother in front of the crucified Christ (sponsored by the Flickr Group MALP or Hermandad dela Sagrada Pasion).
The first Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
The second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Another representation of the sorrowful mother, the Gran Dolor, accompanied by St. John the Beloved...
...and the traditional Good Friday Mater Dolorosa, an heirloom image, from Cabuyao
Aside from images of Mary in sorrow, another common representation is Mary as Queen of the Most Holy Rosary; Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Cavite
My first time to see this image, another "del Rosario" image, Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani, Bataan
Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
Our Lady of the Holy Name of Jesus
Our Lady of the Stars...note the stars in front of the image...
Queen of Angels
Cheering for the image of Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Solitude of Vaga Gate
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga: The Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted as Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary, garbed in black and white attire, seems to be on her knees as she contemplates the Passion of Her Son, Jesus. Before her are the crown of thorns and the nails, the instrument of Christ's Crucifixion. The icon of Our Lady is painted on a canvas framed in carved wood. The painting is presently set with gold and silver accouterments and precious gems, which are ex votos from her devotees. An inscription found at the back of the painting says: "A doze de Abril 1692 años Juan Oliba puso esta Stma. Ymagen Haqui" ("This most holy image was placed here by Juan Oliba on April 12, 1692").". The most venerated icon of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga is an invaluable treasure inherited by the Caviteños from their ancestors, and is the oldest extant dated Marian painting in the Philippines.
The Hermana Mayor leading the image of Our Lady of Solitude, another break in tradition wherein Hermana Mayor's usually join the procession (riding horse driven carriages) after the Cofradia's Festejada image has passed Manila Cathedral.
The dramatic and pomp appearance of Our Lady of Solitude, tiny bells dangling from the carroza sides are rung as the carroza moves; Before the image's introduction, a long line of "Sagalas" led her entourage reenacting an important event followed by a group of performers who danced the Saboy.
Dancing the Saboy...
Our Lady of the Rosary of San Pablo, Laguna
Clearly the indisputable "Star of the Night" if there was such an award in GMP. The magnificence, allure, opulence, elegance (I could ran out of superlatives) of this image and its carroza is beyond compare, embodying what GMP is all about especially to us spectators and enthusiasts (this is the reason why I keep coming back, you don't see something like this everyday...)
Our Lady of Sorrows of Pakil, Laguna: The Turumba
I have to say this is one of the most loved Marian image in the country, as demonstrated yearly by the number of delegation coming to Intramuros to join the procession...it's as if the whole town of Pakil went to Intramuros to accompany the image (and as if they cannot get enough of their own town fiesta celebration). You'll know that the image is arriving when you start hearing people clapping and chanting with the gay and lively sound of drums and trumpets, the solemnity of the procession momentarily takes a back seat as the people from Pakil becomes rowdy (but in an organized way) letting loose, dancing and making spectators feel and see how they express their devotion to a painting of the sorrowful mother which miraculously reached their shore (the image being processed on the andas is a 3D representation of this painting).
Turumba, Turumba Maraingga
Matuwa tayo’t magsaya
Sumayaw ng Tu-Turumba
Puri sa Brihen Maria, Sa Birhen!
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Matuwa tayo’t mag-aliw
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa Mahal na Birhen, Sa Birhen!
Biyernes ng makita Ka
Linggo ng i-ahin Ka
Sumayaw ng Tu-Tuturmba
Puri sa Birhen Maria, Sa Birhen (2x)
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa Mahal na Birhen
The Pageantry of GMP
Fireworks from huge sparklers/flares to "Pinoy kwitis," announcing the arrival of an image in Plaza Roma
Painted "Arkos (arches)" around Intramuros add a touch of old world charm to the festivity
"Sagalas" in couture gowns each holding a symbol of Mary
The Contingent leading the image of Our Lady of Piat
Dancing the Saboy, a tradition in Cavite to ease "the sorrow" of Mary during Holy Week
Merged photo showing a group performing a traditional Filipino Dance
The Manila Cathedral, the seat of Christianity in the Philippines
The Canonically Crowned Marian Images
What's special about the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is the participation of "official" replicas or Vicarias of canonically crowned images of the country, there are even cases wherein the original image participates, thus bringing these images closer to us devotees here in Manila.
The Canonically Crowned Holy Queens of the the Philippine Islands
1. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila (Sto. Domingo; 1907)
2. Nuestra Señora de Penafrancia (Naga; 1924)
3. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Visitacion (Piat; 1924)
4. Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Antipolo; 1926)
5. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (Manaoag; 1926)
6. Nuestra Señora de Casaysay (Taal; 1954)
7. Nuestra Señora de la Regla (Cebu; 1954)
8. Nuestra Señora de Guia (Ermita; 1955)
9. Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Bantay; 1956)
10. Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Pampanga; 1956)
11. Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro (Boac; 1958)
12. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (Orani; 1959)
13. Nuestra Señora la Divina Pastora (Gapan--1964)
14. Nuestra Señora de Namacpacan (Luna; 1969)
15. Nuestra Señora de Visitacion (Guibang; 1973)
16. Nuestra Señora de Salvacion (Joroan; 1976)
17. Nuestra Señora de Soledad de Porta Vaga (Cavite; 1978)*
18. Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Iloilo; 1981)
19. Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Agoo; 1982)
20. Nuestra Señora de Penafrancia (Manila; 1985)
21. Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion (Malabon; 1987)
22. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Sta. Ana; 1991)
23. Nuestra Señora del Carmen (San Sebastian; 1991)
24. Nuestra Señora dela Consolacion y Correa (San Agustin; 2000)
25. Nuestra Señora de Buen Suceso (Paranaque; 2000)
26. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Marikina; 2005)
27. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu (Cebu; 2006)
28. Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion (Pasig; 2008)
Our Lady of the Abandoned of Sta. Ana, Manila
Passing through Plaza Roma, Our Lady of Piat
Our Lady of Piat
La Naval in Plaza Roma
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila (this is an exception, if I am not mistaken this is privately owned)
Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture
The Festejada Image
The Cofradia's image of the Immaculate Conception
Manila Cathedral's Immaculate Conception
San Agustin's Queen
Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture
"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!"
The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession (GMP) is an annual gathering of parishes, private image owners, devotees (from all walks of life), religious, the army and yes even politicians all to pay homage to Mary, Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception.
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tuae, Jesus.
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tuae, Jesus.
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Ora pro nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Ave Maria
Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Ora pro nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Ave Maria
This event is organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion and the Intramuros Administration (IA) and is a revival of an old Intramuros festivity in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which started on December 8th, 1619. Currently, at least 80 Marian images from various parts of the country, bearing different titles of the Blessed Virgin accross the naion participate in the procession, thus by the time the last carroza reaches Plaza Roma (fronting Manila Cathedral), carroza's at the start of the procession will have already completed the procession route inside Intramuros and will have probably completed packing and cleaning up the carroza ready to go home. I estimate that the procession runs close to 4 hours, but I'm not complaining neither do the participants and their respective "camareros and camareras" which seem to get more extravagant and more dedicated each year--the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is not just grand due to the number of participants, it's a whole lot more than that!
Minutes before the start of the procession, the frenzy and anticipation heightens...
The Hermanos mayores for this year’s celebration are Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Violago, Mrs. Violago quite noticeable wearing black in a sea of white Cofradia members, as she is also one of the sponsors for Our Lady of Porta Vaga which depicts Mary as the sorrowful mother.
The Army leads the procession, announcing its commencement after the opening prayers.
The first marian image in the procession line-up; a small but highly accoutered image of the sorrowful mother in front of the crucified Christ (sponsored by the Flickr Group MALP or Hermandad dela Sagrada Pasion).
The first Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
The second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Another representation of the sorrowful mother, the Gran Dolor, accompanied by St. John the Beloved...
...and the traditional Good Friday Mater Dolorosa, an heirloom image, from Cabuyao
Aside from images of Mary in sorrow, another common representation is Mary as Queen of the Most Holy Rosary; Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Cavite
My first time to see this image, another "del Rosario" image, Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani, Bataan
Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
Our Lady of the Holy Name of Jesus
Our Lady of the Stars...note the stars in front of the image...
Queen of Angels
Cheering for the image of Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Solitude of Vaga Gate
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga: The Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted as Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary, garbed in black and white attire, seems to be on her knees as she contemplates the Passion of Her Son, Jesus. Before her are the crown of thorns and the nails, the instrument of Christ's Crucifixion. The icon of Our Lady is painted on a canvas framed in carved wood. The painting is presently set with gold and silver accouterments and precious gems, which are ex votos from her devotees. An inscription found at the back of the painting says: "A doze de Abril 1692 años Juan Oliba puso esta Stma. Ymagen Haqui" ("This most holy image was placed here by Juan Oliba on April 12, 1692").". The most venerated icon of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga is an invaluable treasure inherited by the Caviteños from their ancestors, and is the oldest extant dated Marian painting in the Philippines.
The Hermana Mayor leading the image of Our Lady of Solitude, another break in tradition wherein Hermana Mayor's usually join the procession (riding horse driven carriages) after the Cofradia's Festejada image has passed Manila Cathedral.
The dramatic and pomp appearance of Our Lady of Solitude, tiny bells dangling from the carroza sides are rung as the carroza moves; Before the image's introduction, a long line of "Sagalas" led her entourage reenacting an important event followed by a group of performers who danced the Saboy.
Dancing the Saboy...
Reina de Cavite per siempre seras:
Es prenda tu nombre de jubilo y paz:
Reina de Cavite por siempre seras;
Es prenda tu nombre de jubilo y paz.
Es prenda tu nombre de jubilo y paz:
Reina de Cavite por siempre seras;
Es prenda tu nombre de jubilo y paz.
Madre Immaculada, prez del serafin,
Luz de Filipinas, protegenos sin fin:
Luz de Filipinas, protegenos sin fin.
Luz de Filipinas, protegenos sin fin:
Luz de Filipinas, protegenos sin fin.
Our Lady of the Rosary of San Pablo, Laguna
Clearly the indisputable "Star of the Night" if there was such an award in GMP. The magnificence, allure, opulence, elegance (I could ran out of superlatives) of this image and its carroza is beyond compare, embodying what GMP is all about especially to us spectators and enthusiasts (this is the reason why I keep coming back, you don't see something like this everyday...)
Our Lady of Sorrows of Pakil, Laguna: The Turumba
I have to say this is one of the most loved Marian image in the country, as demonstrated yearly by the number of delegation coming to Intramuros to join the procession...it's as if the whole town of Pakil went to Intramuros to accompany the image (and as if they cannot get enough of their own town fiesta celebration). You'll know that the image is arriving when you start hearing people clapping and chanting with the gay and lively sound of drums and trumpets, the solemnity of the procession momentarily takes a back seat as the people from Pakil becomes rowdy (but in an organized way) letting loose, dancing and making spectators feel and see how they express their devotion to a painting of the sorrowful mother which miraculously reached their shore (the image being processed on the andas is a 3D representation of this painting).
Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba, Turumba Maraingga
Matuwa tayo’t magsaya
Sumayaw ng Tu-Turumba
Puri sa Brihen Maria, Sa Birhen!
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Matuwa tayo’t mag-aliw
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa Mahal na Birhen, Sa Birhen!
Biyernes ng makita Ka
Linggo ng i-ahin Ka
Sumayaw ng Tu-Tuturmba
Puri sa Birhen Maria, Sa Birhen (2x)
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa Mahal na Birhen
The Pageantry of GMP
Fireworks from huge sparklers/flares to "Pinoy kwitis," announcing the arrival of an image in Plaza Roma
Painted "Arkos (arches)" around Intramuros add a touch of old world charm to the festivity
"Sagalas" in couture gowns each holding a symbol of Mary
The Contingent leading the image of Our Lady of Piat
Dancing the Saboy, a tradition in Cavite to ease "the sorrow" of Mary during Holy Week
Merged photo showing a group performing a traditional Filipino Dance
The Manila Cathedral, the seat of Christianity in the Philippines
The Canonically Crowned Marian Images
What's special about the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession is the participation of "official" replicas or Vicarias of canonically crowned images of the country, there are even cases wherein the original image participates, thus bringing these images closer to us devotees here in Manila.
The Canonically Crowned Holy Queens of the the Philippine Islands
1. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila (Sto. Domingo; 1907)
2. Nuestra Señora de Penafrancia (Naga; 1924)
3. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Visitacion (Piat; 1924)
4. Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje (Antipolo; 1926)
5. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (Manaoag; 1926)
6. Nuestra Señora de Casaysay (Taal; 1954)
7. Nuestra Señora de la Regla (Cebu; 1954)
8. Nuestra Señora de Guia (Ermita; 1955)
9. Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Bantay; 1956)
10. Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Pampanga; 1956)
11. Nuestra Señora del Pronto Socorro (Boac; 1958)
12. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (Orani; 1959)
13. Nuestra Señora la Divina Pastora (Gapan--1964)
14. Nuestra Señora de Namacpacan (Luna; 1969)
15. Nuestra Señora de Visitacion (Guibang; 1973)
16. Nuestra Señora de Salvacion (Joroan; 1976)
17. Nuestra Señora de Soledad de Porta Vaga (Cavite; 1978)*
18. Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Iloilo; 1981)
19. Nuestra Señora de Caridad (Agoo; 1982)
20. Nuestra Señora de Penafrancia (Manila; 1985)
21. Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion (Malabon; 1987)
22. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Sta. Ana; 1991)
23. Nuestra Señora del Carmen (San Sebastian; 1991)
24. Nuestra Señora dela Consolacion y Correa (San Agustin; 2000)
25. Nuestra Señora de Buen Suceso (Paranaque; 2000)
26. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Marikina; 2005)
27. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu (Cebu; 2006)
28. Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion (Pasig; 2008)
Our Lady of the Abandoned of Sta. Ana, Manila
Passing through Plaza Roma, Our Lady of Piat
Our Lady of Piat
La Naval in Plaza Roma
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, La Naval de Manila (this is an exception, if I am not mistaken this is privately owned)
Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture
The Festejada Image
The Cofradia's image of the Immaculate Conception
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we beseech you that, as by the foreseen death of this, your Son, you did preserve her from all stain, so too you would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto you. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reignes with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Manila Cathedral's Immaculate Conception
San Agustin's Queen
Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture
The photo in the post is not of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Cavite. That of Rosario, Cavite's Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario Reina de Caracol de Cavite is a framed image. You will see her again after 6 years, joining in the 2014 Intramuros Grand Marian Procession.
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