Golden Canonical Coronation

The Commemoration of the 5oth Canonical Coronation was held at Villa del Sol Subd. City of SnaFernando Pampanga. San Fernando witness the very first Canonical Coronation of Virgen delos Remedios, here is where the Image was first crowned. The spot where the letter was read at the Capitol grounds has a marker now, unveiled the day before Sept. 8. Thousands had come to witness the re-enactment of the coronation for the 5oth year. Images from the 22 towns of Pampanga were also invited to come. Ceremony starts at the Metropolitan Cathedral, here spectatiors, devotees and the like awaits for the processional. The Image was dressed in gold with embroidery and had a new "templete", which was colored in powdered blue and gold guilded. Both Images were flourished with all white flowers. At 3pm the processional begun, those devotees of "Apung Iru" shoulder bourne the Image. All of the chapels and churches' bells were rung "madupical". At the main venue the ceremony starts by blowing the horn, this was very significant during the old times. Archbishop Pacino B. Aniceto led the concelebrated mass. Archbishop also crowned the Image, his auxilliary was the one who laid the lay to Sto. Cristo del Perdon and released the white doves. I haven't seen the rosary balloon being released right after the ceremony. During the old days the releasing of balloon is a ceremony awaitted by the people, because this is the basis of where the next eventwill be host, according to the direction the balloon moves. The tradition vanished due to lack of space to accomodate the increasing number of practitioners attending the event. This time the celebration went till 6pm, fireworks filled the panorama as the people goes back. There was still a ceremony after, to procession the Images back to their home at the Chancery. The ceremony was what they call "Salve Regina" honors to the Virgin Mary.

Dalo Balen

The Golden celebration of the Canonical Coronation of Virgen de los Remedios was the grandest among the previous one. For as early as June the council had long prepared for the main event. The Archdiocese commissioned Mr Tom Joven to restore the old Image, he did with much appreciation. One of the prelude to the coronation was the "Dalo Balen", visitation of the Canonically crowned Image to the 22 towns of Pampanga. Right-after the presentention of the restored Images of Virgen delos Remedios and Sto. Cristo del Perdon to the public at Pulung Masle Guagua Pampanga, the Images began the visit at Masantol. Town of Masantol was the very first town visited by the crusade when it began 50 years ago as brainchild by then Archbishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero. This event happens only after every 5o years, the reason why those who She visited were overwhelmed by Her presence. The Images leaves and arrives at every town as early as 4am, eventhough its too early many anxiously waited for Her arrival. The Images then stays for two days then leaves early the next day. Unending rosary is heard at the town church, motorcde is also expected for the other villages for them to be able to see the Images. The heighlight of their stay is the "memalens" offering songs to the Images (Harana sa Birhen).

Here are some of my personal collection photo which I took during the "Dalo Balen" at Santa Ana.

Virgen delos Remedios

The 51st Commemoration of the Canonical Coronation of the Patroness of Pampanga this September 8, 2007 will be held at Angeles City. For over 5o years now, Kapampangans celebrates the birth of Virgin Mary thru Her Image titular "Virgen delos Remedios". The Canonically Crowned Image is presently at the Holy Rosary Parish Church, Angeles City in preparartion for Her 9 day novena and coronation rites. According to resources, the Image together with the Image of Santo Cristo del Perdon stays there for a month. Originally the Image stays at the Chancery, She has a post at the main altar of a chapel named after Her. The heighlight of the annual event is a concelebrated mass by the Archbishop (Arch Paciano B. Aniceto), re-enactment of the canonical coronation ceremony, laying of a lei to the Image of Santo Cristo del Perdon and the releasing of the balloon rosary. Before, the releasing of a balloon rosary was symbolic for whom the cross lands will be the next year's host. Presently, Angeles City and the City of San Fernando were the one interchanging yearly as host since the avalance of Mount Pinatubo damage some parts of Pampanga. The two cities have the capacity to hold thousands of devotees.

Photo courtesy of;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/munsterinc/

Also visit his account for more of these photos.
I also posted discussion about Virgen delos Remedios from one of the flickr grups; Images of Faith here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/santos_images_of_faith/discuss/72157601742759907/

Re-dedication of Santa Monica Parish Church

August 27, 2007 - a day before the feast of San Agustin, early at 8am the town of Mexico out loud with the Church bells. The Re-dedication of Santa Monica Parish Church and the Blessing of the Eucharisting Chapel took place yesterday morning as passersby heard the bells of the old bellfry. Recently the church undergoes several renovations particularly the exterior, and finally concluded with a ceremony.

San Bartolome

Patayum was the former name of the village. Patayum means a place for tinting clothes. San Bartolome, its present name, is one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus written in the bible. Few have I knew about the life of the saint, He has an iconography of holding a sword which they say the instrument which flayed His skin alive. He also holds a bible at the other hand significant of Him being one of the Apostles. The village is one of those villages close to the town proper. The Chapel of San Bartolome has remaining features from the original structures, same as the other Chapels the chapel undergoes several alterations. The very recent was the addition of a stainglass in front portraying the saint. San Bartolome has 3 processional Images, following a heirarchy of heights. The smallest a "tallada" is used for the "lubenas" (9 day novena). The medium size was the one being used on all occasions specially during fiestas. The large one, which has a post at the main altar is used for a particular occasion only, during the lenten procession. August 24, is the feast day of the patron, "Happy Fiesta San Bartolome!".

The above photo is taken at this year's fiesta 2007, photo courtesy of Ma'am Bethuel

Recomended Site

Here is a site recommended by Center for Kapampangan Studies' Mr. Alex R. Castro. The site is also an informative for those churches in Pampanga with photos provided, another mastepeice done by Mr. Ivan Anthony Henares head of the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the city of San Fernando.

Here's the link;

http://www.geocities.com/pisamban/

http://kamaru.blogspot.com/

http://www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com/

http://www.ivanhenares.com/

Istasyun

Istasyun is the local dialect for Stations of the Cross. Yesterday (Aug. 20, 2007) I have seen for the first time the original Stations of the Cross which used to hang on the walls of the Old Church. Accongding to the keeper, Tatang Jess (BPC president of Bo. San Nicolas), the stations were transfered to their Chapel during the reign of Fr. Lansang (then the Parish Priest). Good thing was they were still complete but due to the old state most fo the paintings were peeled. The Stations were painted on aluminum (with such a great paintings) and framed with old wood, relatively large in size wih cross on the middle top. I wonder why did they changed these masterpieces? The BPC President is willing to return these artifacts to the Parsh Church Museum. At sad state the Museum was temporary closed due to lack of space for a permanent exhibit hall.

September 14, 2007 the date when John Paul Canlas and Jonathan Musngi successfully transferred back to the hands of the Commission the original stations of the cross of Santa Ana Parish Church. Great paintings yet frustrating that these magnificent work of arts begun to peel. The move is another part of the Commission advocacy to restore what can be restored while existing.