For the discerning eye, it is evident, everything about the Santa were meticulously prepared. The style of the gown, the accessories used, the flowers and even the color combination were so excellent that one can sense a professional designer's hand behind the exquisite presentation.
Surprisingly, the effect was not ostentatious but rather a high couture and a manifestation of a sense of style on the part of the 'carer' of the Santa.
Santa Marta will always be dear to me since she 'lives' just beside our residence in Central, only a house away. I have known her since I was a child. She never ages. She is as beautiful as ever and more radiant now in the hands of a devoted carer- a grandson of our neighbor. Without fail the Santa always catches my curiosity for the whole week of the Kamahalan (Holy Week) when all the town's santas and santos are present at the Saint James the Greater Parish Church of Bulusan.
Taking care of a Santa for the Kamahalan is an act of devotion and faith in Bulusan. Although done only once a year, the preparation for the event entails not just a short span of days or weeks. It is actually a way of life for the carer that will last a lifetime and will extend to the next in the family line or whoever will be fortunate enough to be given the task of caring a Santa.
Indeed Santa Marta is an example of a Bulusanon's spirit of devotion and faith. An eloquent statement of love and care for the Santa as translated in the visual form.
Gazing at Santa Marta in the Palm Sunday afternoon procession, I can honestly say that Santa Marta in her most beautiful regalia is a visual prayer expressed in a most stylish form. A testament of a Bulusanon's creativity and talent.
Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
Nice one, Manay Jane! Great pictures! Good thing you have a blogspot alternative to your Wordpress. I can't comment on that one. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Abe! The blogs are exactly that...to make use of the photos. Same with the other blogs. My photos are filing up...and hopefully by recording it in some orderly manner, serves also as Bulusan's chronicle of culture and people.
ReplyDeleteNot a few times have I passed Bulusan on the way up to the lake, or down from Irosin to Rizal beach. I didn't know of your town's rich cultural heritage, other than the relaxing eco trek around the lake. I hope I can include Bulusan in our next year's Visita Iglesia. But if I remember right I once visited the church, was it where an eagle is kept in an aviary in the patio? I also wonder how you're related to my good friend Boyet.
ReplyDeleteHi Jasper! Nice to know that you are Boyet's good friend. I am his younger sister living it here in the boondocks :) Yes, Bulusan is very much a key cultural heritage area in the province of Sorsogon. Consider this: Parroqia founded 1630 - one of the oldest towns in Sorsogon. Barcelona and Gubat towns were formerly part of Old Bulusan. Sadly, the Old Church of Bulusan was demolished. Nonetheless, the Punta Diamante (Diamond Fortress) enclosing the churchyard is still intact with the slightly destroyed kampanaryo (belfry).
ReplyDeleteTip for your next visit: Climb the kampanaryo and examine the Spanish colonial period bells. Walk the vast expanse of Punta Diamante back included and gaze at the remnant of the Old Bulusan Baroque Church..and so much more.
As to the eagle...I have to check on that..
Manay Jane, there indeed was an eagle back during Papa Lito's first assignment in Bulusan as parish priest (I understand he's returned as the vicar). He made some sort of an aviary out of the dungeon part of the convento. It's the one behind and below the grand staircase. There also was a cage formed around the ruins of the corner wall of the old convento, adjacent to the now-blocked ancient gateway. Even at the kitchen upstairs, there was a parrot who would blurt, "Pangit, pangit!" on cue (or even without it).
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