Easter Salubong in the Philippines

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

In the Philippines, Easter (Paskò/Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) morning is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn ceremony called the Salubong (Filipino for "meeting") that re-enacts the imagined reunion of Christ and his mother after the Resurrection. Statues of the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary are borne in two separate processions that meet at a designated area called a Galilea, usually in the plaza fronting the church. Some locales include statues any or all of The Three Marys (Mary of Cleopas, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Salome), Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist in the processions, which are almost always sex segregated (i.e., male devotees follow Christ and the male saints; women follow the Virgin and female saints).

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

The Virgin Mary is clothed or veiled in black to express her bereavement. A girl dressed as an angel, positioned on a specially constructed high scaffold or suspended in mid-air, sings the Regina Coeli in Latin or in the vernacular, and then dramatically removes the black veil to signify the end of Mary's grieving. This may also be done by other "angels" who pull off the veil, or tie it to balloons or doves and release these into the dawn sky. The Virgin is then called the Nuestra Señora de Alegria ("Our Lady of Joy") and confetti and flower petals are showered on the statues. The moment is marked by pealing bells and fireworks, followed immediately by the Easter Mass. In several parishes however, this is practiced at midnight of Easter Sunday immediately after the Easter Vigil, done in the very same manner.

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

Salubong at Parokya San Miguel, Zamboanga Sibugay

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PAROKYA SAN MIGUEL - MABUHAY

Parokya San Miguel Learning Center

Parokya San Miguel Learning Center

Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay

Vision:  To build a society where there are good citizens contributing to the social, economic and spiritual development of its people.

Mission: To run a parish pre-school imbued with the spirit respecting other people’s cultures, beliefs and traditions.

On March 23, 2013, several parishioners of Parokya San Miguel were invited to discuss together the possibility of putting up a parish pre-school. This was brought out due to the concern of many Catholic parents whose children they sent to Protestant pre-school in the island. Together with SVD missionaries Fr. Tony Salas, Fr. Felmar Fiel, Fr. Manuel Mijares, the plan to have a parish pre-school was finally materialized.

The parishioners who were invited to be part of the creation of such a learning center are the following:

Kiking Lim Llanos (LGU-Talusan)

Bro. Roland Pontevedra, SVD (Youth Ministry)

Sir Eusebio Momo (DEPED)

Prudencio Anota (DEPED)

Rico Caloňge (DEPED)

Marlyn Caloňge (DEPED)

Jesus Arnoco (DEPED)

Mina Berdin (DEPED)

Flora Esmanel (DEPED)

Jill Dulam (NGO)

Emma Rabon (Retired Teacher)

Carlos Magdula (DEPED)

Romel Rabon (LGU-Mabuhay)

Marigen Rabon (BFP)

Lourdes Ozarraga (LGU-Mabuhay)

Princess Hazel Tolorio (Medical Team)

Annabelle Tolorio (Parish Staff)

Emilyn Saburnido (DEPED)

Mamerto Pagar (PPC)

Ronald Zarate (LGU-Mabuhay)

Val Samonte (LGU-Mabuhay)

Diosdado Omamalin (DEPED)

Julieta Degumbis (Student)

Zenaida Dumapi (LM Ministry)

Being representatives of the Christian community, they are also owners of the pre-school to be erected. From the 23, the Board of Trustees was selected. As a rule, the parish priest (Fr. Felmar Fiel, SVD) and the assistant parish priest (Fr. Manuel Mijares, SVD) were automatically members of the Board.

Chairman: Sir Eusebio Momo

Vice-Chairman: SB Val Samonte (deceased)

Secretary: Jill Dulam

Treasurer: Lourdes Ozarraga

Council Members: Emma Rabon and Prudencio Anota