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| Lubenas Procession |
When nine days before Christmas came, we are expecting that there is procession of star shaped colorful lanterns made of papel de japon, bamboo frames and they are enlightened by battery fed lights or candles. These colorful lanterns are community based projects wherein the members of the community are helping each other to make colorful lanterns. The colorful Lubenas is held every December 19-24, the same period when the faithful are attending the nine day Simbang bengi or Misa de Gallo. The term Lubenas is the corruption of the word novena means nine (representing the nine days of simbang bengi).
Lubenas is a land based procession wherein the head of the procession are made up of a cross and two rows of star lanterns mounted on bamboo poles accompany the andas or carroza bearing the patron saint's image. The lanterns, five to seven of them of each row are carried by boys or men. Marching behind the carroza is the local choir or singer singing "Dios te Salve" accompanied by brass band or guitarist. Every December 16-24, barangays hold simultaneous lantern processions in their respective areas. Before the Misa de Aguinaldo or Christmas eve mass, lantern processions from barangays converge in the church patio creating a wonderland of hundreds of lanterns of various shapes and colors. Then, their processional images were brought inside the church during the entrance procession of the priest. This event is called maytinis.
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| Lubenas before Maytinis |
Prior to 1830s, Lubenas is already existing as mentioned by the Angeles based historian Mariano A. Henson. This tradition was believed to be originated from the town of Bacolor wherein they already practicing the tradition of lighting religious lanterns during La Naval celebrations (held in November). Because of proximity of La Naval to Christmas, the same lanterns are used to line the procession were most likely retained for the Christmas season.
The tradition of Lubenas had very much meaning to Magaleños. It shows their tendency to do everything in excess; one suffering having to wake up in the wee hours to attend nine consecutive simbang bengi (dawn masses) is obviously still not enough penitence for Magaleños to prepare their souls for Christmas, they also add suffering staying up late at night before to attend a procession that requires them to walk great distances. Instead of using candles, they have to hoist multi-colored lanterns which are illuminated from within.
Aside from Magalang, this colorful Lubenas is also practiced in the various towns and cities of Angeles, Mabalacat Mexico and San Fernando in Pampanga. The towns of Capas and Concepcion in Tarlac is also practicing Lubenas. Due to extensive promotion and safeguarding of this Lubenas, last 2018, Magalang was awarded 1st placer in Best Practices on Community Based Responsible Tourism. In the same year also, Magalang was also the first awardee of the Philippine Heritage Awards for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
Photo Credits:
Ayrene Lugay de Dios
sunstar.com.ph
Source:
Kapampangan Folk, The Power and Glory; Singsing; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City, Philippines.