20/06/2023
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Matimyas ka Lakambini ning Sto. Tomas!
(SAGALAS: The inspiration of this year’s Lakambini ning Sto Tomas)
The Town of Sto Tomas specifically the Barangay Poblacion is known for it’s colorful and festive celebration of Easter Sunday and the Annual Sabuaga Festival. Did you know that the Sabuaga Festival was rooted from the Procession of the Beautiful Sagalas showering petals of flowers to the Virgin Mary and the Risen Christ done in the morning of Easter Sunday? Let’s take a brief history and details of this beautiful town and Parish Tradition.
Right after the 6:00am Pusu-Puso, the brass band plays and the faithful applaud to mark the start of the procession or what they called Prusisyon Grande. At the head of the procession are the ciriales, bearer of the ceremonial cross and candles in the person of three ladies in their fineries with their escorts in barong. They are followed by the banderada, the bearer of the Vatican flag.
Sometime in the ‘80s, mini-sagalas were introduced. These are little girls dressed as angels to accompany the incensario, the bearer of the incenser and the incense boat, and the angel who took the veil off the Blessed Mother.
Next come the estabats, singing glorious hymns and raining petals on the Atlung Maria at designated stops along the processional route.
The Atlung Maria symbolize the Virgin Mother, Mary Magdalene and Mary Cleofas. By tradition, the center – the spot of the Virgin – is reserved for the most beautiful of the three sagalas. It is therefore a most coveted spot.
Sagalas for the Atlung Maria are exclusive to ladies born and bred in Sto. Tomas or those whose ancestry can be traced to the town. In the social milieu, no lady from Sto. Tomas is truly beautiful unless she has been one of the Atlung Maria.
With the Atlung Maria is the Ciru Pascual, the bearer of the Paschal Candle, always a local bachelor or one whose bloodline comes from the town.
The images of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Mother bring the rear of the procession which ends with a High Mass.
History Written by: Mr. Irwin M. Nucum
Photography by: Mr. Rashley and Architect Randreb David
Designer: Angel Castro
Coordination: Mr. Carlos Posadas, Kagawad Francis Naguit, Mr. Wilson Pineda, Mr. Albert Martinez and Mr. Aljon Ocampo
Organized by: Poblacion Barangay and SK Council
