‘Salubong’: a display of unwavering faith even in modern times

‘Salubong’: a display of unwavering faith even in modern times

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

Caniogan Chapel. This is where the Salubong ends.

Barangay Caniogan in Malolos, Bulacan has a unique way of celebrating its patroness Maria Salome’s feastday every Easter Sunday.

It is marked by the traditional march well-known as Salubong from Sta. Isabel Church to the Caniogan Chapel.

The parade is well-celebrated because of its grand parade wherein numerous devotees from all over the province of Bulacan participate. During the parade, a re-enactment of Maria Salome’s visitation to the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning is done as a form of devotion.

Because Maria Salome is a witness who stood by Jesus during His crucifixion, and because she had an encounter with the Risen Christ, the devotees believe that she can bring miracles if they pray and silently ask for a wish while dancing during the parade.

Elisa Moncayo, a resident of Barangay Balayong in Malolos, Bulacan had a difficulty in getting pregnant when she got married when she was already past thirty. She and her husband also tried dancing in Obando, but to no avail.

Instead of consulting for a doctor again, Moncayo and her husband tried their luck in attending the Salubong which is commonly known as simply “Salome”.

“Akala namin sa Obando lang ang puwedeng humiling na magkaanak. Pero dahil siguro sa pananalig namin sa Salome, nagkatotoo ang hiling ko na mabuntis,” Moncayo said.

Rosalina Varino, also a resident of Malolos, believes her second life is indebted to the patroness. When she had a gunshoot in the chest eight years ago because of an unfortunate event, the bullet was left inside her body.

The week after she was released from the hospital, in hope that the bullet will not put her life in danger anymore, Varino was asked by a friend to participate in Salome. She wished for a longer life and after surviving a year with the bullet inside her body.

“Ginawa ko nang panata na kada taon, mag-sa-Salome ako. Bilang pasasalamat na rin na hanggang ngayon, buhay pa rin ako at dahil sa pananalig ko sa Salome, hindi na ko nangangamba na baka mamatay ako dahil sa bala sa katawan ko,” Varino said.

Another devotee shared her experience in attending Salome. Marlen Fronda Lazaro, a mother of three, during her first attending the feast day, prayed for her eldest daughter to pass the board exam for nurses. And her daughter did become a registered nurse.

“Nakakatuwa kasi unang beses ko `yong sumama sa Salome, `tapos natupad agad ang wish ko. Lumakas ang paniniwala ko sa Salome kaya ginawa ko na rin `yong panata,” Lazaro said.

But not all Bulakenyos believe in the miracle of Salome. The non-believers think that the devotees should keep their faith in moderation.

Ofelia Crisostomo, a housewife, said that people should not only believe in miracles, but they should act to create a miracle.

“Sabi nga, nasa tao ang gawa, nasa Diyos ang awa. Kung natupad man ang wish nila, siguro ay dahil pinagsikapan din nila. Pero hindi ko sinasabing hindi iyon himala. Siguro malakas lang talaga ang paniniwala nila,” Crisostomo said.

On the other hand, Romy Lazaro a fourty-year old construction worker said he would rather work than join the parade to make a wish.

“Siguro naniniwala sila kasi napatunayan na nila. Mahirap namang makialam sa paniniwala ng ibang tao, pero `yong paniniwala ko, matutupad ang pangarap ko kapag pinagtrabauhan,” the laborer said.

The Filipinos are known all over the world for their strong faith. They believe in miracles, and they are devotees of different churches, patron and patroness. Pastor Lino San Juan of Paombong, Bulacan who preaches in Campo Crame.

“Ang tao kasi, nais ng katunayan na totoo ang pinaniniwalaan nila. Dala na rin iyon ng matindi nilang pananalig na may sagot ang bawat pagsubok na dumaraan sa buhay nila. Hindi naman masama iyon, pero kailangan din alalahanin ng mga tao na piliin mabuti ang mga paniniwalaan nila at alamin muna kung may basehan ang mga ito,” San Juan Said.