History[edit] Rosario is a town in the province of Cavite, on the shore of Manila bay. Once, it was simply a barrio of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias). It was then called Salinas-Marsella, after the salt-mining industry. Marsella on the other hand comes from the Spanish word ‘’mar’’ (sea). It was named so because of its proximity to the sea.[citation needed] However, before the twilight of the Spanish era its name was changed to Rosario in honor of the ‘’Virgen del Rosario de Caracol’’ which was the patroness of the place. How this virgin came to our town nobody can tell the exact details. A plausible was told by one of the most respected couple of Rosario – Don Catalino Abueg and Dona Rosa Ner as to how the virgin came to our town. During the Spanish regime, one of the best means of transportation was by boat. Cargoes from the south were brought to Manila by big boats, and there were many ‘’batel’’ (fishing boats) in Manila bay. Many years ago, in a date which remained unremembered a strong typhoon visited Manila. It caused great destruction of life and properties especially to those who lived along the coastal area of Manila bay. Countless fishermen as well as merchants were caught by the turbulent wind in the midst of the sea. One of these boats coming from Mindoro was loaded with merchandise. The furious wind and the terrifying lashes of rain hit the boat. The waves were in their wildest moments. Thus water started to fill the boat to the point that it was almost sinking. The crewmen of the boat filled with terror as death approaches tied themselves to the boat to assure themselves that they won’t get lost. The head of the crew went inside the cabin to check whatever goods they could save. As he move around, he noticed a framed image of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary hanging on a post. A strong wind rocked the boat that made the frame swing to the point of almost being dropped in the water. The sight of the image gave him a little light of hope for safety. He beg the virgin to spare his life and that of his companions with the promise that they would build a chapel in her honor as soon as they landed on the shore. The Virgin must have heard his prayers for they were all saved. The stormy night was followed by a serene and sunny morning. They found themselves along the shore of “Mojon’’ presently called Muzon, a sitio of the barrio of Salinas-Marsella. With great joy and gratitude, they had a chapel built on a ground which was said to belong to a certain teniente Felix Suasa. The makeshift chapel was made of bamboo and the lumber use for the altar of the Virgin was from their very own boat. It is said that there was a great feasting for the affair. The image was entrusted by the crewmen to the people of the place. The crew of the boat left, however, they left a legacy which became an undying tradition- our town fiesta in honor of the Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary. It is also said that after sometime, the people felt that they should give a more beautiful and bigger abode for the Virgin. Hence, from Muzon, the shrine was transferred to the present site of our parish and a more decent chapel was built. Historically speaking there is still no exact data or record as to when she became the patroness of Rosario. On April 21, 1984 Mr. Tony Nazareno, the president of the Antique Dealers Association of the Philippines came to examine the Virgin. According to him, the image is a product of a Filipino brush. The face of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary is very Filipina. A very rare piece in the Philippine Iconography. He said that the style of the painting belongs to a well known painter – ‘’Faustino Quiotang’’. It is interesting to note that unlike so many icons of Mary, the patroness was not of foreign origin but really the Philippines own. Mr. Nazareno posits that our Virgin was painted sometime between 1810 to 1820. The parish and the town of Rosario was established on October 22, 1845, it was promulgated by governor general Don Narciso Claveria. Devotion[edit] The fiesta of Rosario includes the Caracol (prayer through dancing or pasayaw na pananalangin), a ritual dance-procession. During the ‘’visperas’’ of the fiesta, the Virgin is bore on the shoulders of her devotees (mostly male). The arch or andas where the Virgin is attached is heavily decorated with flowers. The vast majority of those who participate in the ‘’Caracol’’ dance to the tune of ‘’Pandanggo’’or any folk music. The towns Brass bands are hired to provide music and life of the procession. From the church, the Virgin is brought to the sea in a very slow movement like a snail (this is the origin of the word ‘’caracol’’) for a Caracol del Mar or fluvial procession. To add color to the procession, banners of the different ’’basnig’’ participate in the caracol are so displayed. Once it is at the seashore, the Virgin is boarded in a big fishing boat. From Barangay Wawa, it is brought to Barangay Muzon where it lands. While in the sea, hundreds of fishing boats go around the Marian boat. From Muzon, the Virgin is once again brought back to the church with the Caracol de la Tierra or Caracol sa Lupa. This ‘’Caracol’’ caught the attention of the committee on the Marian procession in Intramuros. Thus, in December 1982, the Virgin and the people of Rosario were invited to participate in the annual Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros. People applauded as the Virgin and her devotees danced to the joyful tune of the “Pandanggo”. Even the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines that time, the Most Reverend Bruno Torpigiliani, D. D. was deeply touched by the scene. Hence, he commenced that this was the first time he witnessed such a deep and strong filial devotion to the Blessed Mother. The feast is celebrated twice a year, one in the month of May held during the second Sunday of the month. But in some instances, it is moved to the third Sunday because of its nearness to the fiesta of San Isidro Labrador which is the patron of brgy. Ligtong.[clarification needed] And one on October 7 to commemorate the feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy rosary
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 09:49:10 +0000
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