“Halok sa Reliquias”, “Patunob”, “Sinug”, “Sangon”, “Loa” and “Paghipos sa Atong Patron” in honor of Saint James the Greater There are some old rites still performed today by the Dapitanons and by other devotees of St. James the Greater from other places. These are the “Halok sa Reliquias”, “Patunob”, “Sinug”, “Sangon”, “Loa” and ”Paghipos Sa Atong Patron”/”Retirando”/“Paghukas kang Señor Santiago”. The first five rites are performed on July 24, the day before the saint’s feast day. The last rite is done on the Sunday immediately after the fiesta. On the “bisperas” the faithful start converging at the church at nine o’clock in the morning and queuing in two lines, they go to the foot of the altar where the statue of the warrior saint in full regalia stands. “Halok sa Reliquias” means to kiss or touch the relic/s or any part on the image of St. James the Greater, his medallion, vestments, foot, horse, sword, etc. as a sign of awe or reverence. “Patunob” means to be stepped on by the saint to show humility, infinite devotion and gratitude. Devotees after doing the “Halok sa Reliquias” then genuflect lowly. At twelve high noon, the saint’s image is brought out of the church door and the “Sinug” begins. Starting this year 2013, Señor Santiago’s image will be mounted on a “carro” unlike in the previous years, where it was carried by a church layman officer or the local chief executive. This is to protect the image from the awed or overwhelmed devotees of breaking the fingers and arms, ripping the cape, taking of some accessories; the shoes, sword, reins, medallion and chain, hat and the attire adornments. The “Sinug” is a dance procession around the city plaza and it is the devotees’ enduring expression of prayer for intercession and gratitude for abundant blessings. Repetitive pealing of church bells and unison shouts of “Viva Señor Santiago!” in rhythm with the solid resonance of drums and lively band playing the “Marcha de Cadiz”, the Spanish national anthem, make the “Sinug” exciting and memorable. Waving briskly branches of plants usually the San Francisco variety, the faithful either dressed in colorful ordinary clothes or dazzling ethnic costumes immersed in the crowd joining the procession of the patron saint. There is no clearly identifiable or distinct beat or tune- it is mere “a la carte”, or one dancing to one’s own music. “Sinug” is an inflective format of the word “Sinulog” whose rootword is “sulog” meaning water current for the crowd appears to move in water current motion. The shorter form is more popularly used as it conforms naturally to the peculiar accent of the Dapitanons, who pronounced “Sinug” with a prolong drawl at the last syllable, “Sinuuug”. This year, the “carro” will be brought to a designated spot in the City Plaza, while the devotees will continue with the “Sinug” and shouts of “Viva Señor Santiago!” In the past years when the image was carried, a decorated stand in the city plaza especially made for the saint, the “Sangon” immediately follows. He was mounted on a white horse above a “carro”. His’ and the horse’ vestment/accessories are then secured in its proper places by Mr. Raides D. Sagario, a faithful follower of saint. A “Loa” entitled “Viva Señor Santiago!” is then declaimed by a young boy or girl. It narrates the fear and harassment suffered by the Christians and in the latter part expressed gratitude and extols the virtues of St. James the Greater. As finale, a very resounding shouts of “Viva Señor Santiago!” fill the air and devotees dance to their hearts delight before the image of the patron saint. ”Paghipos Sa Atong Patron”/”Retirando”/“Paghukas kang Señor Santiago”. means taking off the vestments and accesories of the image of the saint witness by his devotees and accompanied by the pealing of the church bells. Others are there to offer more prayers, petitions and gratitude to Señor Santiago Apostol. His vestments and accessories are then lovingly stored and kept by the descendants of Senora Josefa Cadavedo vda. De Fermil, Don Andres B. Cadavedo and Sra. Juana Dalida whose unwavering devotion to Señor Santiago will pass on to their coming generations, the Dapitanons here and abroad and to all devotees throughout the world. The descendants of the above-mentioned devotees of the Dapitan City’s patron saint who are in charge of the vestments now are Mrs. Charity T. Payuran, Dr. Sonia T. Buensuceso, Dr. Norma Tillano, Mrs. Margie S. Bolo, Dr. Filipinas S. Nielo and the children of the late Mrs Aida Tillano Balladares. Special thanks to Dr. Norma Tillano for providing some information. ELENA P. ABAD Updated 07-21-2013
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 04:39:40 +0000