The Easter "Salubong"

Happy Easter to everyone!

At long last, I finally got to see the Easter "Salubong" (Meeting) in my old barangay!  Just like the yearly Immaculate Conception Pagoda, I used to hear about the "Salubong" as a child, but I've never experienced it.  I could never get myself out of bed early on Easter Sunday mornings!  Even when we lived in Bayan across San Bartolome Church, any activity that involved my having to wake up at the crack of dawn never made it past wishful thinking.

But this year I told myself I should experience this Lenten tradition at least once in my life.  So I set my alarm clock to 3:30 am and went.


WHAT HAPPENS AT THE "SALUBONG"?

The "Salubong" is the re-enactment of the first meeting between the Risen Christ and His Sorrowful Mother.  The two statues of Christ and Mary sometimes come from two different places and are brought by procession to meet at the church courtyard. Mary is covered by a black veil to show that she is in mourning.  At the meeting place, the two statues meet under a canopy, and in some places, a child dressed as an angel lifts the veil of Mary, to show a mother who is joyfully seeing her son again.

In the "Salubong" of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church this morning, both statues of the Blessed Mother and the Risen Christ came from the church courtyard and their meeting or "salubong"  was at Cuatro Cantos, in front of the Rufina Patis compound.  The Risen Christ came out first - a little past 4:00 am - and was brought by procession on General Luna Street.  The procession of the Blessed Mother left a little later via C. Arellano Street.  We joined the procession of the Risen Christ.

On the way to Cuatro Cantos,  our procession chanced upon the procession of the Risen Christ of the Aglipayan Church as it was coming from Hulo going to its own "Salubong" (somewhere at the back of Mary Jay Restaurant, according to one of the procession marshalls I inquired from).  So this made for a unique and amusing situation of two Risen Christ images having their own "salubong."

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Risen Christ procession of the Aglipayan Church heading towards the direction of Bayan.

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"Salubong ng Dalawang Kristo" (Meeting of two Christs) could very well be the title of this unique scene.  Malabon devotees have long gotten used to situations like this.  They simply make way for each other to pass, then continue on to their respective destinations.

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After that brief crossing of paths, our Risen Christ procession continues to make its way to Cuatro Cantos.

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Many people were already waiting in front of Rufina Patis.  Easter Mass began a few minutes before 5:00 am, officiated by Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, Fr. Rey Amante (parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church), and another priest. The "Salubong" was held after the Mass.

In the "Salubong," the statue of Mary is moved under the canopy while that of the Risen Christ remains outside.  There is a shower of confetti and pigeons are released from the ceiling of the canopy.  A dove is then lowered onto the statue of Mary to remove the black veil over her face. The choir breaks into joyful Alleluias after the unveiling... multi-colored balloons are released into the early morning sky... and the crowd bursts into clapping and cheers of jubilation.  Afterwards the statue of the Risen Christ is moved towards that of Mary, and soon both statues leave in a procession going back to Concepcion church via C. Arellano.

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Devotees await the start of Easter Mass in front of the Rufina Patis compound.

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Blessed Mother statue is moved under the canopy.

White dove is lowered from ceiling of canopy.

Dove is about to lift Blessed Mother's veil.

Veil has been lifted from Blessed Mother's statue.

The balloons on top of the canopy are released into the morning sky along with the dove and veil.

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The "Salubong" of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Mother.

Window seat

Going back to church.

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OTHER EASTER SUNDAY SCENES

A sure attraction for the kids

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Full packed for breakfast

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A refreshing drink on a summer's day

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