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Monday, April 9, 2012

SALUBONG AT CAGSAWA RUINS


  

Bicol, Philippines - Since I was a child, I always look forward to the "Salubong" tradition every Easter Sunday. But my kuya and I were surprised to see the practice for the "Salubong" @ Cagsawa Ruins. As everybody knows, what is left of the church at Cagsawa is only the bell tower when Mayon Volcano erupted in 1814 and spewed lava that covered Cagsawa church and the surrounding areas.
The traditional Salubong is a popular event on Easter Sunday. It is a pre-dawn ritual that re-enacts the Risen Christ's meeting with His mother. It is performed within the churchyard under a specially prepared arch where the veiled image of the Virgin Mary is placed. As soon as the procession nears the church, the bells rang deliriously with joy, announcing the glorious resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ!   
       
Then the encounter of the Risen Lord and His Blessed Mother will take place. This is dramatized by the SALUBONG. Little children dressed as angels are slowly lowered by ropes from a high platform and they lift the mourning veil from the grieving Mother Dolorosa and announced to her the resurrection of her dearly beloved Son. The Virgin Mary would then be "Ang Birheng Nagagalak". In other parishes, the angel releases trained doves to snatch away the veil of the Virgin while in others, the angel attaches the veil of the Virgin to balloons to take it far up into the air.
           
While the Regina Coeli is being sung, the little angels scatter flowers and petals to the images of the Mother and Son. The people would then scramble to get the petals as a memento of the event. Farmers would often place these petals in their farm bed for good harvest.
             

The participants in the procession are segregated by gender. The men and boys follow the image of Jesus Christ, while women and girls follow the image of the Virgin Mary. The procession ends with the two groups meeting in the church, where Mass is said.

             
The "Salubong" is an authentic manifestation of Filipino piety and religiosity. Do you know of any counterpart or similar practice in other countries of the "Salubong"?
After every spectacular Easter Sunday Salubong and the solemn Mass, my cousins and I would proceed to our lola's house for an early breakfast of Cacao hot chocolate, suman ( rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to a sticky consistency) and bihon. Then, we would go to our respective rooms for a much deserved sleep.


38 comments:

Unknown said...

We have Salubong also in Abucay, Bataan my father's place. I always watch it when we were kids, my cousins used to act as the angels but I have not watch one for a very long time! ;(

Traveling Morion said...

ever since ive started travel blogging nasa wishlist q na mavisit ang Cagsawa Ruins... Good photos u have here cha,,,

Blanca said...

Wow the pics are great Cha! I loved the fourth one, the kid looked like an angel talaga and Mayon the perfect backdrop.:)

MaryJane Tauyan said...

wow i would love to visit bicol as well i have a lot of friends from there love the photos as well prang to too ing angel!! nice! xx

Joy Calipes-Felizardo said...

Now I'm more excited for our Legazpi tour on August. Lovely pictures!

unsugarcoatedreviews.com said...

The Cagsawa ruins is such an iconic structure and Mayon Volcano is really breathtaking.

Pinay Travel Junkie said...

What a nice place to witness the salubong. I love the second to the last pic.

Ness said...

Me and my Mom joins the salubong every year in Marikina. I think, this is our "panata" as mother and daughter. It just feels good to see Mama Mary and Jesus finally "see" each other after the sufferings.. This always gives me goosies.

AJ said...

Ok ang ganda!

athena said...

i have to be honest that i've never witnessed a salubong. huhu. :/

Bien Nonoy said...

A good background for a salubong.

Unknown said...

bongga sis ha! the 4th photo is really nice. :)

Michi said...

my mom is from bicol but i've never been there. i hope i can go to bicol, next year. =)

rc gweniful said...

lucky you. the last time i experienced this salubong tradition was when i was 8 years old.

Lei said...

i have seen a salubong the last time i witnessed a Salubong I was in College pa..

fbalgos said...

It must have been a spectacle..
Cagsawa Ruins is such a commodity to tourist!
I've heard about this famous since I learned how to read and write..
Must be an awesome place to visit!

Sumi Go said...

My dad grew up in Bicol, but I've never ever stepped foot in any parts of the region.. >.< I hope someday I get to visit Cagsawa too and witness Salubong.. :) Hope you had a meaningful Holy Week achie! Happy Easter!

Budget Biyahera said...

Wow! Your salubong of Easter Sunday was extraordinary. Wish I could do the same next year, as I love witnessing different takes on our traditional beliefs. =)

Gemma|My Dailies said...

gusto ko din maexperience to! ang creative talga ng pinoy!!! next time , invite mo kami ha? esp to eat suman at bihon hehe

joan | the backpack chronicles said...

I never experienced Salubong before pero I would love to witness one like you did. It looks cool kasi!

Elal Lasola said...

I truly miss our very own salubong in my church in my home town!

MheAnne said...

oh nice. glad you are able to witness the salubong at the cagsawa ruins. i am from bicol and love going to Cagsawa whenever I visit but I didn't know about the Salubong thing on Easter Sunday.thanks for sharing.

ralph said...

wow, nagsalubong si lola... kaw ang umubos ng kakanin no? hehehe. peace. Yahweh bless.

lakwatsero said...

Didn't know na me Salubong pala that's being held sa Cagsawa. I've been there but ngayon ko lang to. Thanks for sharing it.

Simplymarrimye said...

SALUBONG on CAGSAWA...
solemn yet memorial
traditions such as this
makes PINOYS more spiritual.

YANI said...

I have always promised myself to visit that place as my Lolo was born and raised there so is my bf :) It seems you had a great time at a very rare place to practice Salubong.

Mon♥Jheng said...

Been to Bicol many times and I visited Cagsawa church once. And truly, the views there are beautiful!

Budget Biyahera said...

Surely sis I will be able to book a trip to Cagsawa Ruins and get to finally experience this historical site soon (even if it's not during the holy week).. maybe next year! Will bookmark your post so that I can come back to it when I start making my itinerary. =)

mommygiay said...

We also have our traditional Salubong activity in my hometown here in Laguna. Yours was just so beautiful 'coz it is set against a historical landmark.

titus said...

Wow... memorable Easter.

promking said...

salubong is special on its own. experiencing it at this location makes it extra special.

Fred Said said...

This salubong happened quite bright already didn't it? Usually it happens earlier before sunrise, doesn't it?

fbalgos said...

Salubong in Cagsawa!
Must have been a fun spectacle to photograph

Unknown said...

fyhmd please read my post :-) If you missed it, try reading it again po, you will notice that what my kuya and I witnessed is the practice of the salubong last Black Saturday:-)and not the actual salubong on Easter Sunday. I indicated that clearly on the first paragraph pa lang po. I hope next time you'll take the time to at least read my posts para po alam mo ang kasagutan sa iyong katanungan :-)Maraming salamat po.

Unknown said...

AJ ang haba ng comment a :-)

Unknown said...

Sa lahat ng naka appreciate sa kuha ko sa Cagsawa Ruins maraming salamat po. It is more fun in the Philippines!

Donna Jane Ramos Marcuap said...

I want to take a visit there :> Just too far from our place. This Holy week we are planning to go to " Kamay ni Hesus"

Rovie Divinagracia said...

Bicol is the place I still have to visit :) The festivity look so nice! great photo too!

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