This year I decided to just focus on one Sto. Nino procession and I chose Malolos' given that for the past years, by the time I arrive there the procession is already midway or about to finish. Thus with a camera on one hand and a 22 oz taho on the other hand I made my way towards Malolos.
Upon arriving at the intersection leading to Malolos, Bayan, I immediately noticed a huge bamboo arch done in the traditional "Singkaban" form, with a huge banner announcing Fiesta Republica 2012...as if Malolos is declaring to the whole country that they are the Fiesta Capital of the Philippines. Well for one, the Diocese of Malolos has a lot of things to celebrate this year, back to back, the golden year anniversary of the institution of the diocese and the Canonical Coronation of the Cathedral's Immaculate Conception.
Going to Malolos Bayan, you'll see the Philippine Flag and the Fiesta Republica 2012 posters all over...I have not heard of this tourism promotion before or what it meant for Malolos though...I am the King of the World!
More Singkaban (decorative Bamboo arches), flags and posters up ahead
The day started hot and humid however towards the afternoon, on my way to Malolos it started raining heavily as if a blanket of water is falling from the sky and not rain drops(that's how hard the rain pounded anything under its path)...when I reached Malolos, it was all sunny and dry but a few minutes later it started raining, same heavy downpour (and I thought Malolos was spared)...Oh no...how about the procession? How about the Sto. Nino's in the church plaza...
Inside the newly built extension of the Regala House while waiting for the rain to stop...
The image of the Holy Family welcomes everyone entering the House, from the Vecin collection
Bulakenos Hospitality: what is a fiesta without food...a feast of Filipino dishes namely Dinuguan, Puto, Empanada, Okoy, Bibingka, Arrozcaldo, Pansit etc etc and Coke (hehe...it's now as Filipino as Kapeng Barako...)!
A Fiesta is also a time for family reunions...tracing the family tree (pictures at the bottom) and making sure they are remembered, a session with a master sketcher, fast paced...boom!...drawn
This great hall is sometimes used as a prayer hall, I believe a mass was held before the merienda started
A good 30 minutes away before the procession starts, the rain stopped and a huge rainbow appeared (I mean huge because you can see the full arch)...talk about more arches
But before leaving the house, I decided to drop by Sta. Veronica's chapel...
From L-R: A new image is present, Sta. Maria Magdalena by Nick Lugue if I heard it correctly; and Malolos' antique Mater Dolorosa recently restored by Mang Kiko Vecin
The cabit now is full of santo busts...much like celebrities playing Hollywood Squares...other images: Mother of Perpetual Help, Jesus Carrying the Cross and the Last Supper tableau
On the way to the Cathedral, I noticed that there are more Singkaban art on the road...from arches to huge crosses to fan like ornaments which I think form part of the bigger decorations
At the Church Patio, Malolos Cathedral
From L-R: The church looks and smells new, renovated in time for the golden anniversary celebrations; the Jubilee cross towering over Malolos, the seat of Christianity in the Bulacan region
The day's main event...
Sto. Nino de Buen Suceso
The stage still wet after the heavy rains, but very much ready for the start of the procession
A plaza full of Sto. Nino images...I call it the Sto. Nino maze
Maneuvering the narrow path in-between carroza's, hoping to see all of the carroza's before procession starts
Sto. Nino's of all sizes on top of carroza's of all types and sizes: on traditional wooden and metal carroza's, pedicabs and jeeps
Salubungan
A Sto. Nino on a traditional Calesa, without the horse of course...Sto. Nino de Montes
Sto. Nino on a garden
Sto. Ninos on cute carroza's
Sto. Nino Dormido...nakatulog daw sa bigat ng kasalanan ng mga tao
More Sto. Nino's to see
...so little time
This year the organizers are trying to set a world record, they also have people from the National Geographics documenting the event
Nothing Compares...bigger and grander
Down came the rain...
Getting ready for the procession, owners trying to make the best out of the situation...since it rained most of the Sto. Nino's and Carroza's are covered in plastic
Images covered in plastic...a repeat of Intramuros' GMP 2011...it's not a good time for processions, best to place santo's in urnas, or in pallio's and other decor that can serve as roof
An owner inspecting his image, Sto. Nino de Prudencia...unfortunately the impact of the rain caused some of the eyelashes of the image to fall off
The owner tries to fix the eyelashes
Sto. Nino de la Pasion
The child Jesus reflecting on his pasion and death, it is hard to ascertain that Jesus has this clear understanding of his destiny since most of his childhood is not really documented in the Bible...but I believe it is so...Jesus has this full understanding of God's salvation plan which he demonstrated during the events when he was found by Joseph and Mary in the temple discoursing with the elders and later on in his adulthood during his ministry, proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
Sto. Nino de la Pasion owned by Dez Bautista, a well-known son of Malolos
Closer view of the Nino, notice the image's "gamit" (metalworks) all alluding to his crucifixion some 20 or 30 years after
Another look at the Nino, notice the tears shed for the sinfulness of man...
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus falls upon his face in an agony being overwhelmed by what He knows He must suffer the next day in atonement for the sins of mankind. He prays to God, "My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Passion and Compassion
Proceed to Part 2
Upon arriving at the intersection leading to Malolos, Bayan, I immediately noticed a huge bamboo arch done in the traditional "Singkaban" form, with a huge banner announcing Fiesta Republica 2012...as if Malolos is declaring to the whole country that they are the Fiesta Capital of the Philippines. Well for one, the Diocese of Malolos has a lot of things to celebrate this year, back to back, the golden year anniversary of the institution of the diocese and the Canonical Coronation of the Cathedral's Immaculate Conception.
Going to Malolos Bayan, you'll see the Philippine Flag and the Fiesta Republica 2012 posters all over...I have not heard of this tourism promotion before or what it meant for Malolos though...I am the King of the World!More Singkaban (decorative Bamboo arches), flags and posters up ahead
The day started hot and humid however towards the afternoon, on my way to Malolos it started raining heavily as if a blanket of water is falling from the sky and not rain drops(that's how hard the rain pounded anything under its path)...when I reached Malolos, it was all sunny and dry but a few minutes later it started raining, same heavy downpour (and I thought Malolos was spared)...Oh no...how about the procession? How about the Sto. Nino's in the church plaza...
Inside the newly built extension of the Regala House while waiting for the rain to stop...
The image of the Holy Family welcomes everyone entering the House, from the Vecin collection
Bulakenos Hospitality: what is a fiesta without food...a feast of Filipino dishes namely Dinuguan, Puto, Empanada, Okoy, Bibingka, Arrozcaldo, Pansit etc etc and Coke (hehe...it's now as Filipino as Kapeng Barako...)!
A Fiesta is also a time for family reunions...tracing the family tree (pictures at the bottom) and making sure they are remembered, a session with a master sketcher, fast paced...boom!...drawn
This great hall is sometimes used as a prayer hall, I believe a mass was held before the merienda started
A good 30 minutes away before the procession starts, the rain stopped and a huge rainbow appeared (I mean huge because you can see the full arch)...talk about more arches
But before leaving the house, I decided to drop by Sta. Veronica's chapel...
From L-R: A new image is present, Sta. Maria Magdalena by Nick Lugue if I heard it correctly; and Malolos' antique Mater Dolorosa recently restored by Mang Kiko Vecin
The cabit now is full of santo busts...much like celebrities playing Hollywood Squares...other images: Mother of Perpetual Help, Jesus Carrying the Cross and the Last Supper tableau
On the way to the Cathedral, I noticed that there are more Singkaban art on the road...from arches to huge crosses to fan like ornaments which I think form part of the bigger decorations
At the Church Patio, Malolos Cathedral
From L-R: The church looks and smells new, renovated in time for the golden anniversary celebrations; the Jubilee cross towering over Malolos, the seat of Christianity in the Bulacan region
The day's main event...
O miraculous Child Jesus! I come before Your sacred Image, moved by love and by hope, and I beseech you to look mercifully into my trouble heart. Let your own tender Love, always inclined to compassion, mitigate my troubles and alleviate my sufferings. Take from me, if it be Your Will, all unbearable afflictions and let me never surrender to despair. Grant me, Dear Child Jesus, the special grace I ask from you today in all humility and with a loving trust, and for the sake of Your Sacred Infancy, always hear my prayers. Be generous with Your aid and consolation, that I may praise You, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
Sto. Nino de Buen Suceso
The stage still wet after the heavy rains, but very much ready for the start of the procession
A plaza full of Sto. Nino images...I call it the Sto. Nino maze
Maneuvering the narrow path in-between carroza's, hoping to see all of the carroza's before procession starts
Sto. Nino's of all sizes on top of carroza's of all types and sizes: on traditional wooden and metal carroza's, pedicabs and jeeps
Salubungan
A Sto. Nino on a traditional Calesa, without the horse of course...Sto. Nino de Montes
Sto. Nino on a garden
Sto. Ninos on cute carroza's
Sto. Nino Dormido...nakatulog daw sa bigat ng kasalanan ng mga tao
More Sto. Nino's to see
...so little time
This year the organizers are trying to set a world record, they also have people from the National Geographics documenting the event
Nothing Compares...bigger and grander
Down came the rain...
Getting ready for the procession, owners trying to make the best out of the situation...since it rained most of the Sto. Nino's and Carroza's are covered in plastic
Images covered in plastic...a repeat of Intramuros' GMP 2011...it's not a good time for processions, best to place santo's in urnas, or in pallio's and other decor that can serve as roof
An owner inspecting his image, Sto. Nino de Prudencia...unfortunately the impact of the rain caused some of the eyelashes of the image to fall off
The owner tries to fix the eyelashes
Sto. Nino de la Pasion
The child Jesus reflecting on his pasion and death, it is hard to ascertain that Jesus has this clear understanding of his destiny since most of his childhood is not really documented in the Bible...but I believe it is so...Jesus has this full understanding of God's salvation plan which he demonstrated during the events when he was found by Joseph and Mary in the temple discoursing with the elders and later on in his adulthood during his ministry, proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He took Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples. And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
Sto. Nino de la Pasion owned by Dez Bautista, a well-known son of Malolos
Closer view of the Nino, notice the image's "gamit" (metalworks) all alluding to his crucifixion some 20 or 30 years after
Another look at the Nino, notice the tears shed for the sinfulness of man...
The Agony in the Garden
Jesus falls upon his face in an agony being overwhelmed by what He knows He must suffer the next day in atonement for the sins of mankind. He prays to God, "My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Passion and Compassion
Proceed to Part 2
Hi,
ReplyDeleteFiesta Republica is the celebration of the First Philippine Republic or the Malolos Congress at Barasoain Church every January 15.
Singkaban is famous in Bulacan for fiestas, we have Singkaban (Sining at Kalinagan ng Bulacan) fiesta every September 8-15.
FYI: The house on the first photo is the Cojuangco Ancestral home. Old house of Cory Aquino's family.
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