Submitted by Vox Bikol on
CALABANGA, Camarines Sur (April 5 2012) – Pilgrims started arriving by the bus loads one week before Lent at the village of Sta. Salud in this town where the 18th-century icon of the crucified Christ is enshrined for nearly 150 years.
Calabanga town Mayor Evelyn Yu had directed the municipal police heads and village officials of barangays adjacent to Sta. Salud to field more traffic enforcers and security personnel in anticipation of the influx of nearly 500, 000 pilgrims who are expected to visit the shrine of the “Amang Hinulid” (the Sepulcher Christ), reaching its peak from Maunday Thursday to Easter Sunday.
Although pilgrims visit the shrine all year round, but during Lent that they come by the thousands, some walking bare-footed, Mayor Yu said.
Devotion to the “Hinulid” in Bicol dates back to the 19th century. Other “Hinulid” icons are housed in other places in the province of Camarines Sur province and have their own loyal devotees, including that in Bombon church; the Church of Quipayo, Calabanga; in the coastal village of Bonot; the “Hinulid” Christ of San Francisco Church in Naga City; and the 3 images of “Hinulid” Christ at a chapel in Gahanon, Gainza town.
But the icon in Calabanga is the oldest among them, having been brought from Spain in 1840 through the port of Legazpi, said 75-year odl Rebecca Tandog Hilario whose great grand-mother, Bartola Repolito, was the original owner of the “Amang Hinulid” of Calabanga.
The “Amang Hinulid” has been known to grant the wishes of its devotees and the water used to bath the image every Holy Wednesday is said to have healing power.
Meanwhile, the longest running passion play in this town with some 150 casts dubbed as “Pasiyon ni Kristo 2012” shall be staged by the Calabanga Network for Talents and Arts Development (CANTADA) and the drama group “SAMBIT” at the Activity Center of the SM City Naga on Black Sat. (April 17).
Assistant play director, Rodelio Perez, said Calabanga’s passion play gained fame because of realistic costumes and presentation. The yearly play is financed by civic groups and some Calabangueños who reside overseas. (SONNY SALES)