Anamarie Antolin, Aliza Arcilla, Vladimer Miranda | The Capitol
Posted on October 31, 2022 | 11:45 PM
In observance of All Saint's Day, approximately 45 people dressed as saints parade inside the Malolos Cathedral.
MALOLOS, Bulacan—Different from the traditional Halloween get-ups—garbed in scary, bloody, and dark costumes—individuals dressed up in robes and veils during the annual Parade of Saints to commemorate All Saint's Day on Monday evening.
Around 45 youth participated in the procession headed by the Parish Commission on Youth (PCY) of Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
According to John Michael Gonzales, the Parish Program Coordinator, the goal of this program is to acknowledge the saints and their holiness.
“Usually kasi the whole year, may mga kaniya-kaniyang feast day ang mga saints natin. […] Itong All Saints, ito yung natatanging araw para sa kanilang lahat na mga banal. Kaalinsabay nito, yung Parade of Saints, ang objectives nito ay makapagpalaganap or makapagpromote ng devotion dito sa mga santo,” said Gonzales.
Moreover, Ronniel Perez, a Sub-Parish Pastoral Council member, said this event is intended to teach youths about the saints they are portraying rather than to parade the actual saints, as some youth are losing interest in attending mass.
"Hindi naman sa sinasamba nila yung mga ginagaya nila, or ginagaya nila para maging santo or banal. Ang purpose kasi noon ay makilala ng mga bata ano ba yung mga katangian na kaya nilang hanguin o matutu[h]an doon sa mga santo na iyon", Perez explained.
Participants of the Parade of Saints pose for a photo while wearing their ensemble portraying their chosen saint.
"Kahit isang araw man lang ay magampanan ang role ng isang santo na which is isa sa naging daan upang mapalaganap ang Katolisismo sa buong mundo. Katulad ng mga kabanalan ng santo ay maging katulad tayo nila na sa kabila ng lahat ng pagsubok, paghihirap at pag-uusig ng mundo ay [mag]patuloy pa rin sila, na may Lord sa buhay natin." one of the program’s participants, Ramono Ramos II, said about his reflection on the event.
‘Halloween is Catholic Hallow’
Gonzales also mentioned that the annual program tries to eliminate the culture that Filipinos have adapted from westerners' in celebrating Halloween in horror.
“Halloween is Catholic, from the word itself, hallow [means] holy, it’s the day for holy people of the church […]Ang Undas ay hindi talaga patungkol sa katatakutan,” he said.
“Isang way itong Parade of Saints para mai-promote natin na itong pagdiriwang ng Undas, pagdiriwang ng Halloween is a Catholic [celebration] na ito dapat ay magpapakita, pagpo-promote ng mga santo natin hindi yung mga katatakutan sa pagdiriwang na 'to”, he added.
He also hopes that this event will inspire youth to have a vocation in learning from saints and adapting their characteristics through holiness.
The program begins with a mass preceded by Rev. Father Alberto DJ. Santiago at 6 pm followed by the introduction and parade at 7 pm.
Despite the gloomy weather that the recent typhoon has left, the Parish managed to conduct the yearly event.
Comments