Filipina Soul

Even in the middle of my family’s grief, I couldn’t forget Bicolandia’s upcoming festival. The Ibalong festival will be celebrated from 25-31 October 2005 in Legazpi City, Albay. It is a week-long festivity depicting Bicol’s early beginning as portrayed by the characters in the epic IBALONG.

It is important to note though that Legazpi City’s Patron Saint is St. Raphael the Archangel, healer of the sick and companion of the traveler ( parabulong kan mga naghehelang asin kaibahan kan mga naglalakaw ) whose feast is observed on the 24th of October.

Incidentally, the Patron Saint in the small village where I came from (Payawin, Gubat, Sorsogon) is the same St. Raphael of whom my ancestors (up to my generation) are devotees. We fondly call him Señor San Raphael.

Since my great grandmother (up to now), my family has consistently lighted candles and prayed novena (both in bicol and latin) in that small church every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; especially for the sick (not only physically) and the traveling (my big family alone has too many travelers). Though I never got to learn (not even memorize) how to pray the rosary, as a young child, I remember mumbling ora pro nobis and Gloria Patri beside my great grandma when doing our novenas for Señor San Raphael.

My great grandma swore that ours is the original St. Raphael statue that the Spaniards brought. The one in Legazpi is just a replica of some sort. (I will not forget to take a photo next time that I’m home.)

For those interested for more Bicol attractions, click here.