Easter eggs what? Happy Easter in Bulusan

Posing at the belfry landings, the Kampanaryo (belfry) is a perfect backdrop for the present aleluya choir, yearly maintained by the parishioners to carry on the well loved 'aleluya' -- a more than three and a half century old tradition in Bulusan. 

Light moments for Tristan and choir members, all local girls and boys.

Tristan radiates happiness after a successful performance as lead soloist for the Aleluya.  Notice the black veil  and the carried over angelic pose of Tristan. Extreme right, is his cantora  teacher.

Starting at a very young age as  choir angel members.

The aleluya choir after the pictorial at the kampanaryo (belfry)

The cantora teachers for this year's Aleluya, Marieta, center and Oya  Ines, extreme  right.

In Bulusan, easter egg hunting tradition for children is not practiced. Easter egg is Greek to almost all the local children  (including myself and my siblings when we were children). In our town, the local kids during Easter Sunday are more familiar with the Filipino folk traditional 'Salubong' locally known as Aleluya where an angel descends from 'heaven' (a tower made for this purpose) singing and lifting the black veil of mourning off  from the Blessed Mother's face. It highlights  the Resurrection of Jesus Christ after the Good Friday commemoration. It is considered the feast of all feasts in the Catholic tradition.

The children if fortunate enough to be part of the 'angelic' choir will have the chance of a lifetime to experience the event up-close that will be carried on down the memory lane (my mother, a former aleluya lead angel soloist  could still sing the aleluya song at the age of 85 from memory). Hundreds maybe reaching a thousand locals and visitors regularly flock to the church ground to witness the Aleluya event.


Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Sakristan Photography 101

Location: Saint James the Greater Parish Church
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Startled.

Rock band pose.

One is looking at me and knows exactly what I am into, the other three are clueless.

Is this the new hemline for sakristans?

Puzzled 

While waiting for the Sunday mass, I observed and took photographs of sakristans assigned to assist the priest during the mass. Most of them were unaware what I was into. By the time they noticed my shutterbug activity, I'd already done some clicks secretly. Several thoughts ran across my mind while observing the sakristans: Garbed in the sakristan sotana, it seemed to me that the boys convey their behaved nature with hidden mischievousness. The hems of the sotanas: Is the new hemline midway between the knees and the heel or mid-calf with the rubber shoes  and pants prominently showing?  It looks nice though for teen boys. 

Gowns I concluded looked good on men. No wonder why the ancient Roman and Greek men wore gowns.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

'Oliba' Bulusan's 'palm' of choice for the Palm Sunday Celebration

Not a palm but a Cycad, 'oliba' in Bulusan

I agree with the observation of a town mate friend that in Bulusan the 'palaspas' of choice is still the Bulusan's traditional 'oliba'. It is a plant of the Cycad family that is usually cultivated in Bulusan's backyard gardens mainly for this 'hosana' purpose rather than that of a landscaping feature although it is an equally attractive landscaping plant.

The 'oliba' leaves are brought to the church for blessings during the Domingo de Ramos or Palm Sunday, simply referred to as 'Osana' in Bulusan. Not just one but two but usually more. The palaspas in our observation was a recent development for Bulusanons probably influenced by other neighboring regions and Manila. This is easily adaptable to Bulusan since palaspas making is actually another form of weaving. Bulusanon weavers are naturally inclined to any kind of palm weaving craft--that includes the palaspas.

It is folk tradition in Bulusan that the blessing of the 'oliba' leaves does not end with the Domingo de Ramos occasion. These leaves which were ceremoniously blessed by the priest during the 'Osana' celebrations will be carried on to be assimilated in their daily living for the whole year and be replaced by a new one in next year's Palm Sunday and the next in an unending cycle.The blessed oliba leaves come in handy in activities such as house construction, farming and fishing to ensure blessings and abundant harvests. These are also indispensable materials for the 'parabolong' (local healers) in 'tuob' and 'santigwar' rituals.

In the wikipedia article, the palm fronds uses by the Filipinos were likewise noted:

"Children dressed as angels sometimes sing the Osana ("Hosanna") whilst strewing flowers about." 

"Once blessed, the palaspas are taken home by the faithful and placed on altars, or hung beside, on, or above doorways and windows. Although the true purpose of this custom is to welcome Christ, many Filipinos hold the fronds to be apotropaic, able to banish evil spirits, avert lightning, and prevent fires."

The Bulusanons also hold on to this folk belief that started probably at the onset of Catholicism in the town 385 year old paroquia. In fact, almost all Catholic homes in Bulusan have one or two or more 'oliba' leaves the whole year round attesting to the popularity of this folk belief.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

'Hosana' angels after the Palm Sunday Mass

"We are from Lubas, San Rafael," the 'hosana angel'accompanying another smaller 'angel' answered my question. Not expecting a shutter bug to be snapping their photos especially after the 'hosana' (Palm Sunday) event, the two angels expressed disbelief on their faces as shown in the photos. The more endearing they'd become in my view. It showed that kids will be kids even though garbed with angel's attire.

In Bulusan, Palm Sunday is simply referred to by locals as 'hosana'.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Tangid

"Galvez-Tan revealed that plant researchers all over the world consider the Philippines as a hotspot of biodiversity. He added that certain species of plants found here hold more disease-fighting potential than others found in the top two countries (Brazil and Indonesia). The French travel all the way to the Philippines to acquire our local variety of Ilang-ilang even if there is Ilang-ilang in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. They chose ours because they know that the most potent is the Philippine variety. Christian Dior (the perfume maker) gets only the Philippine species of Ilang-ilang."

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20101001-295436/RP-a-superpower-in-natural-medicines

Note: Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Department of Health secretary, coauthored the book Medicinal Fruits and Vegetables with Ma. Rebecca Marana Galvez Tan.

With the mention of the Philippine native Ylang-ylang as the most fragrant of its kind in the ylang-ylang world, I can't help but to be proud that there are still standing Tangid trees in our farms and forest.

Tangid is our own Ylang-ylang native.

Photograph by Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines







Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Imagine a Magnificent Bulusan Baroque Church

What remains of a  Magnificent Bulusan Baroque Church

This is the back of the old church of Bulusan--a reminder that once upon a time a magnificent 18th century structure that can rival the best of its contemporaries in character and style stood here.

I wonder how they were able to demolish the thick masonry structure to build the new chapel-looking church. Of course, it is more expensive to restore than to build a new one. But the heritage lost is immeasurable.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil

Saint James the Greater Parish grounds

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan breads and its unusual and sometimes funny names

pan de-idlit

pan de bomba

pan de sal

pan legazpi

Have you ever wonder about the origin of the names of the local breads from Bulusan? Names like ‘pan de idlit’, ‘pagong’, pan de agua,pan de bomba and many inventive names. The names are still very much around to this day despite the influx of grocery supplied bread.

Other names include pan legazpi, pan de coco, pan de sal, ensemada, monay, and dozens more assorted items not to mention the turutalinga, galletas, tahada another group of items made as coffee partner oftentimes used as 'pasopas' during santa cruzan and 'katapusan' (Check out Pamughaton discussed these occasions with interesting details).

Baking bread is not an easy task. In addition to the fact that  it is an exact science unlike other cooking chores where one can make 'tantiya' (approximates), baking is either you got it right or wrong. No middle grounds. It is either ruined or done good, better or excellent. 

After dabbling for a short period with baking, I realized now that the practice of giving funny names to the Bulusanon breads is a way of making light of the circumstances and hard life of panaderia operations. Making light moments to a tough job of baking bread inside a local panaderia and putting some humor to a backbreaking job of baking is so Bulusanon. Even today,  passing by a panaderia with its display of assorted local breads always make me smile.

So next time you pass by a local panaderia, discover pan de idlit!

Photos from pamughaton.net archives
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan's Morning Bells

For those who grew up in Bulusan, this sound will bring memories of home. The bells still possess the distinctly Bulusan sound.

note: This was recorded in my room thus the limited view. The bells' belfry (kampanaryo) is around two blocks away from my location in Poblacion Central. The kampanaryo is part of the Saint James the Greater Parish compound.

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Village hopping in Bulusan

Three villages in one day resulted in priceless images (partly shown here). It was a trip that left me wondering why it took me so long to set foot on these wonderful local spots of my hometown. Never too late though.

First Stop: Buhang  (San Vicente)

Mapaso, Indigenous Healing ground

Rock Beach as spectacular backdrop for Mapaso

Hot waters shoot out from the low cliff's crevices to pour unto the seas, hence the name, Mapaso.

Second Stop: Bagacay (San Ramon)

This unknown mountain beauty is a serene river in the village of Bagacay.

A brief stop on our way back  from the village of Odikin  for this unexpected sight in Bagacay.

Third Stop: Odikin (Santa Barbara)

Shy village girls of Sta. Barbara (Odikin)

More than a century-old partnership, Karagumoy and Pili

Pili trees: magnificent as mansions in Santa Barbara

With Oya Choleng and Mabel for a souvenir shot with Santa Barbara. The Saint protects them from lightning coming from the Volcano (Bulusan) says Oya Choleng (Soledad Freo).

Sta Barbara is located around 2km from the PDZ (Permanent  Danger Zone) of Bulusan Volcano where century-old (and older) pili trees are to be found.  Photos of which to be released in my succeeding blogs.

Photographs by Alma P. Gamil (except for the last photo).
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines