“Live Kinurubong” fires up Holy Week
By Dodong Valencia
“Live Kinurubong” as commonly called by parishioners of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph, San Jose (Partido), Camarines Sur, is now the most trending attraction in the municipality during the Holy Week.
The parish did not actually intend to showcase a public attraction. Rather, the activities were held as a common compliance to or in observance of a religious rites during Holy Wednesday and Good Friday processions by providing 14 stations of the cross depicting the passion of Jesus Christ.
This frugal innovation was a bright idea by the officers of the parish pastoral council to cope with the expenses for materials and paraphernalia in putting up a temporary stations of the cross since 2006 during the stewardship of Rev. Fr. Maximino A. Tria, as then Parish Priest. This strategy also motivated barangay pastoral councils to participate as they are able empathize with the characters of the passion story, based on religious references.
Initially, the attraction was enjoyed by parishioners only. But many pilgrims or devotees were amazed of the presentation until such was promoted by word of mouth and modern means. Out of curiosity and eagerness to personally witness the event, every year until today, more pilgrims, devotees, visitors and local and foreign tourists came to visit San Jose.
Live Kinurubong is often featured on the radio, TV, internet and print media.
In fact, this is not the only attraction of the season. Every Wednesday, the youth conduct a Passion Play around the poblacion. The life-size pasos with antiquity since the foundation of the parish is an awesome scene.
The “Seven Last Words” on Good Friday – a must-witness rite climaxed by the death Jesus with props and sound effects of an earthquake. The setting was given life by the “disipulos” and other young animators by bringing down from the cross the body of Jesus, to be laid on the arms of Mary.
The “Soledad” procession is solemnly enhanced by emphasizing the seven sorrows of Mary through songs and prayers.
“Hossana” or Resurrection Angel with “Salubong” during Easter Sunday is also a most celebrated event.
Recently, Rev. Fr. Loiue A. Occiano, Parish Priest and Rector of the Shrine, introduced additional rites for Holy Week, namely, “Penitential Walk” and a dawn “Via Crucis” from the parish church of San Jose Parish up to the Parish Church of Padre Pio at Barangay Sabang, this municipality.
PAGTONTON. In this photo, on Easter Sunday at the Parish of St. Dominic De Guzman -Gainza, a child removes the black veil covering the image of the Mary, which symbolizes the departure of sorrow from Mary’s heart upon encountering her Risen Son, Jesus. The dressed as an angel, is lowered or “pigtutonton” from a giant heart - shaped blossom locally called “telepuso” or “kalampuso” which slowly opens up to reveal the “angel.” The angel sings “Regina Coeli” then removes Mary’s black mourning veil of sorrow. After more than two years of pandemic, the traditional “Pagtonton” was once again celebrated in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres. It is a vibrant and colorful celebration of Easter Sunday and the Lord’s Resurrection.- Mizelle Imperial San Andres
A group of children dressed in white react as an “angel” descends from the “telepuso”. They join in the singing of Allleuia. (Photo: Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus - Naga City)