Do you believe in the Easter Bunny? 🐇🐰 The Easter Bunny or Easter Rabbit is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. For the Catholics, they do not refer to it as an Easter symbol. For they believe that Easter represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Many traditions and cultures grew and developed while celebrating Easter. And here in Antipolo City, we have our own traditions as well. Let's find out...
Madam 
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History
Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage also known as Birhen ng Antipolo, is a 17th-century Roman Catholic wooden image of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated in the Philippines. The image, a Black Madonna that represents the Immaculate Conception, is enshrined in Antipolo Cathedral.
The image was brought to the country by Governor-General Juan Niño de Tabora from Mexico via the galleon El Almirante in 1626. His safe voyage across the Pacific Ocean was attributed to the image, which was given the title of "Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage". It was substantiated later by six other successful voyages of the Manila-Acapulco Galleons with the image aboard as its patroness.
During construction of the Antipolo church in the 1630s, the image would mysteriously vanish several times from its shrine, only to reappear atop a breadfruit tree, commonly known as tipolo (Artocarpus incisa). This was taken as a celestial sign, and the church was relocated to where the tipolo tree stood. The image's pedestal is supposedly made from the trunk of that same tipolo tree which also gave its name to Antipolo itself (ang tipolo).
[With dark complexion, enlarged iris, unbound hair and silk clothing, the wooden statue which depicts the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is easily distinguished even by tourist]
Being a predominantly Catholic nation, Filipinos observe the Holy Week with fervor and devotion. The Filipino’s tradition of close-knit family units is very evident during the Lenten Season. Salubong is one of the many Catholic practices that shows creative displays not just of Filipino faith, but of the Filipino culture. It always takes place at dawn on Easter Sunday and is practiced in most Catholic communities across the Philippines. Though it is more famously celebrated in the provinces, Antipolo City has its own way of commemoration of the said event.
The ritual recreates the imagined first meeting of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection. As per tradition, it begins with two separate processions, where images of the Mater Dolorosa and the Resurrected Christ are carried from opposite ends. Eventually, the two processions will meet at a middle point, during which an angel will lift the black veil from the face of the image of the Blessed Mother. The angel is played by a young girl from the community, and is typically suspended mid-air from inside a giant paper flower. At the precise moment that the veil is lifted, the Hallelujah Chorus is played, and celebration ensues. Usually, the event continues to an Easter morning mass.
Eventhough it is not biblically written, Filipinos still regard Salubong as a sign of their religious belief. True enough, upon resurrection, Jesus greeted his disciples, Mary Magdalene, and “the other Mary.” There is no mention of the Resurrected Christ greeting his mother first. But unlike other Holy Week practices like the Penitensya which is disapproved by the Catholic Church hierarchy, the Salubong is actually supported by them, even with its lack of basis in the Bible, but rooted in the dynamics of Filipino family relations.
Kapitanes Kapitanas Festival
The thanksgiving celebration of Easter Sunday is one of the most notable events in the city dating back to the early 1900s. Two young lasses and two young gentlemen are chosen every year to be the Kapitanes and Kapitanas representing the youth of the city. They participate in different religious activities of the parish during the Lenten Season. Each Kapitan and Kapitana symbolizes an emblem of the Catholic faith. Two pairs of young Antipoleños are chosen to lead the faithful in the activities during Holy Week. The 1st pair: Kapitan Uno carries the Pontifical Emblem and Kapitana Uno carries the Paschal Candle. The 2nd pair: Kapitan Dos, carries the Flag of the Church. Together with selected young ladies and young gentlemen, they perform the traditional Cotillion dance before the crowd. They represent the responsibilities of a devotee in the Church and the community for a whole year round.
On our upcoming blogs we will discuss more about the the church you see here. The Immaculate Concepcion Parish also called Antipolo Cathedral is one of the major landmarks of Antipolo, where the said image, Our lady of Peace and Good Voyage is the patron.
Upon sharing this culutral religious activity, we would like to ask forgiveness towards other beliefs/religions out there if ever we did something wrong. Hoping for your openmindedness about Catholic traditions.
Steemit is a platform of unity and sincerity. Let us celebrate our commomnness rather than fight over our differences. And, for Catholics out there. Let us embody the true message of the Lent Season.
Thank you for reading
Mabuhay Steemit Pilipinas
All the best Steemph.antipolo
Birheng Maria ng Antipolo
Kami ay dinggin Mo
Ina naming minamahal,
Bituin naming gabay
Tulutan Mong lumaganap
Kapayapaan at Katarungan
sa Bayang Pilipinong
namimintuho sa Iyo
O, Reyna naming kayumanggi
Akayin Mo kami
Sa aming paglalakbay
Sa landas Niya ring Buhay
Tulutan Mo kaming
Makarating ng Maluwalhati
Sa aming nilalangit
Kaharian ng Diyos Ama
Nuestra Señora Dela Paz y Buen Viaje.
Ipanalangin Mo Kami.
