estacion publico

Black Saturday in Calbayog is characterized by three activities: the "estacion publico", the Easter Vigil and the "sugat". For the past so many years I was tasked to lead the prayer for the first station of the cross which begins at around 4:00 am. I once joked to to the late Mana Iday (who gave me the assignment) that she must be mad at me, considering that the activity was so early. Anyway, how do I manage to wake up that early? Well, much thanks to my mother. That activity must be something 'coz people manage to be up so early (yup, without the church bells tolling) and come to the cathedral in droves and go around the city praying on the 14stations of the cross.

And it's always the same experience, the faithful walk around the city, kneel on the streets, pray and commemorate the suffering of Christ. A few years back, as the procession approached the Rosales bridge a young man was heard shouting, "mga sira ulo kayo!" or something to that effect, referring to the faithful, it turned out the young man was high on drugs.

On a personal note, at the end of the day it takes more than just the simple recollection of the suffering of Christ or getting physical (like getting tired from walking) during Holy Week that makes us good Christians. Oops, I'll put it there.

Let me now share some pictures which I got from Joel Manadong:

The first station in front of the Bishop's House.

The 9th station at the corner of Orquin and Cajurao streets in Brgy. Balud.

The 10th station at Jasminez Bridge.

The 11th station at rotonda in Brgy. Obrero.

The 12th station in Brgy. Obrero

"Waray Sapin sa ti-il" or so said the instruction for the estacion publico. And a good number of Calbayognon were pleased to follow.

The 13th station in front of La Milagrosa Academy.

The Santo Intiero

Happy Birthday Allan!

Allan Arejola will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

prusisyun san Viernes Santo

The observance of Good Friday in Calbayog was highlighted by the procession with a good number of carrozas depicting the various stations of the cross. The day's events at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral included the "pagbantay san Santissimo" from 6:00 am to 12 noon. At 1:00 pm, seven priests took turns to reflect on the siete palabras. At 3:00 pm, the Bishop led the Good Friday service which included the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross and the Holy Communion. I was the commentator during the service thus I was unable to take pictures. Let us settle with the ones I got during the procession.

I suppose every (or most) Catholic Calbayogon who makes it home during the holy week will always look forward to the Good Friday procession (on top of the swimming on Easter Sunday). Whether one considers it an opportunity to bond with family and friends, to ponder upon the suffering of Christ, or (heavens forbid) the chance to see and be seen, the event is participated in by the faithful who always come in droves.

The officers and men of PNP Calbayog were all over the place during the procession. No less than PNP Chief Police Supt. Lito Bigoy was on hand to lead his men in ensuring a peaceful observance of the religious event.



Here are some pictures taken by Joel Manadong during the procession:

The Knights of the Altar with ceriales as they approached Rosales Bridge from Brgy. Obrero.

This man must be on a "panata". I have seen him do this for the past so many years. Yup, I also saw him fall to the ground for a countless number of times. For this year, thanks to some kind fellows (or organization), a nurse walked beside him during the procession.

The setting sun gives a dramatic background to this carroza depicting the third fall of Jesus. After the Santo Intierro, this is one of the "most popular" carrozas with a good number of people following it. And yes, the Rosales family always makes it a point to have a group of old musicians which many locales fondly refer to as "banda" perform as the carroza makes it way around the city.

The Santo Intierro. It is always accompanied by the "apostoles" and the Bishop.

in memoriam Trinidad Yrasga - Garcia

Mrs. Trinidad "Idad" Yrasga - Garcia returned to her creator on April 8, 2009. She was 90.

Happy Birthday Ami!

Mr. Ramil Catalan will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary Jun and Lianne

Atty. Jun and Lianne (Aniban) Hernandez will celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary today. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

images from Palm Sunday

It's Holy Week. Palm were blessed during all the masses yesterday. The traditional blessing of the palms, the one led by the bishop was held at 5:30 pm yesterday, a shift from the usual 6:00 am schedule. The activity was held at the stage of the Julio Cardinal Rosales Plaza.

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez was joined by Rev. Fr. Dondon Paulino, Fr. July Gaddi, Fr. Mando Cagomoc, Fr. Ted Perez, Fr. Noel Abiertas and Fr. Luigi Galvani, OSC.

The blessing of palms was preceded by a gospel reading and a short homily. The faithful and the priests then went on procession around plaza before proceeding to Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral for the Pontifical Mass.

Let me share some pictures taken by Joel Manadong.

Bishop Abarquez as he said the prayer of blessing.

Bishop Abarquez with (r-l) Rev. Fr. Ted Perez, Rev. Fr. Luigi Galvani, Rev. Fr. Mando Cagomoc and Rev. Fr. Dondon Paulino.

Bishop Abarquez as he blessed the palms.

Some KITA Choir members (foreground) singing psalms as the faithful started the procession.

Bishop Abarquez with Rev. Fr. July Gaddi, Rev. Fr. Dondon Paulino and Rev. Fr. Mando Cagomoc.

Semana Santa

Tomorrow is Domingo de Ramos. The traditional blessing of the palms, the one led by the bishop is always held at the Julio Cardinal Rosales Plaza minutes before the second (Sunday)mass. For tomorrow, the activity will be held at 5:30 in the afternoon.

We were at the Cathedral earlier today to finish some details for Palm Sunday services. Indeed it's Holy week, this is how the altar looked like . . .


And at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza, the side fronting the Cathedral's main entrance, we saw this couple (early birds if I may call them, surely their number will more than double tomorrow) on hand to sell palms . . .

Happy Birthday Msgr. Max!

The Most Reverend Maximiano Cruz, Bishop Emeritus of Calbayog will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

in memoriam Bishop Sofronio Hacbang

Today we commemorate the 72nd Death Anniversary of Bishop Sofronio Hacbang y Gaborni,the second Bishop of Calbayog.

Happy Birthday Fr. Ric!

Rev. Fr. Ricardo Pitogo will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!

Pope John Paul II

Today is the 4th Death Anniversary of Pope John Paul II. (Photo taken from the Vatican website)

Mrs. Lourdes Catalan - Soria laid to rest

Mana Dayday was laid to rest today. The funeral was preceded by a 10:00 am Mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The said mass was presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez. Concelebrating with him were Msgr. Jun Cinco, Fr. Mika Aguilar, Fr. Tony Mahinay, Fr. Noel Abiertas, Fr. Johny Papel, Fr. Dondon Paulino and Fr. Mando Cagomoc.

A short necrological service followed. Mana Dayday was eulogized by her grandson Limuel Cabañas, Board Member Charlie Coñejos, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Congressman Reynaldo Uy and Mr. Tito Soria.

The Bugto Association Choir sang during the Funeral Mass. Boboy and Naty Biliran sang Mana Dayday's favorite songs "Somewhere", "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas", "Ikaw" and "Mama" during the necrological service.

Here are some pictures I managed to take during the final viewing at the Cathedral.

My new blog header

It's days to Holy Week. Let me give you something that symbolizes the religious tradition of Calbayog; and something to remind you of your old hometown.

The picture is entitled "Beacon of Peace" and I got it courtesy of Joselo Co / Studio 8.

Happy Birthday Fr. Noel!

Fr. Noel Labendia will turn a year older today. Happy Birthday!