Bulusan's Mexican Connection

On a limited appearance last Holy Week in Bulusan were the altar silver centerpieces, part of the local parish church's ecclesiastical heirlooms. The priceless heritage altarpieces under the care of Saint James the Greater Parish include also several pieces of antique silver candle holders seen during the Huwebes Santo vigils.

According to several posts about the pieces, the frontal silver altarpieces with ornate silver relief design and style were brought to the shores of Bulusan via  the galleon trade during the Spanish colonial period. The craftsmanship and materials probably originated from Mexico since there were no similar silver craftsmanship techniques of the same style existing in the Philippines at the time these pieces appeared in Bulusan.

But according to a National Library article, Mexican influences in Philippine culture is still lacking in available scholarly studies. In this case, these elegant Bulusan silver altarpieces from the 18th century era will be valuable sources of evident materials.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Santa Marta: A beautiful Act of devotion

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

Tristan is the lead angel in Bulusan's Aleluya

This coming Sunday, in an elaborate folk theater complete with props and a 3-story tall structure tower, an angel will descend from here to lift the black veil off the Blessed Mother's face. This signifies the end of mourning and the peak of the celebration-The Resurrection. Aleluya in Bulusan.

Tristan with his young frame--not yet a teener (but not too young to be always in the company of her watchful mom), will have the chance of a life time to do the task. A feat since he will be fastened in a contraption that looks like an enlarge chicken nest. This will slowly descend as he sings in his angelic voice the 'Aleluya' song that he has been practicing for weeks now under the tutelage of a local cantora.

Let us wish Tristan a successful and and shining performance on his momentous and glorious role--lead angel soloist of the 'aleluya' event in Bulusan. In the local parlance, he will be the 'madagit', an allusion of a flying angel  from above (heavens). In one swift precise move Tristan must be able to lift the veil  not unlike that of a bird of prey snapping a prey-thus the name 'dagit' which means to snap. The black veil covering the face of the mourning Blessed Mother will be the target as she passes by during the early morning procession prior to the main event.

Photos show a confident but shy Tristan on his way home to Lubas, San Rafael after the Palm Sunday Mass and Hosana in Bulusan. Also in the photo is his mom and younger brother (obviously too tired and sleepy because of the early dawn 'hosana' singing chores around the Poblacions of which both of them were members of the choir for the Palm Sunday 'hosana'). The same choir will perform in the Aleluya event.

Palm Sunday is 'hosana' in Bulusan.



Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines