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Every year on the Friday (Biyernes de Dolores) before Palm Sunday, the townpeople of Pakil start seven consecutive novenae to commemorate the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin.

The image of Pakil’s Lady of Sorrows is locally known as the Virgin of Turumba. The novenary devotions to her are called lupes.

This year (2006) the lupes are held on following dates:

• Unang Lupi Biyernes de Dolores April 7

• Ika-2 Lupi Pistang Martes April 18

• Ika-3 Lupi Pistang Biyatiko April 24, 25 and 26

• Ika-4 Lupi Pistang Biyernes May 5

• Pistang Pakileña May 12

• Ika-5 Lupi Pistang Linggo May 14

• Ika-6 Lupi Pistang Pag-akyat May 26

• Daan ng Krus sa Ping-as May 27

• Ika 7 Lupi Pistang Pagpanaog June 4

• Pistang Domingo de Dolores September 17, 2006

Each of the 11-day event features the Holy Mass, a processions and a dip the Miraculous Nuestra Señora de los Dolores swimming pool where devotees go swimming for cure, healing and gaining blessings.

The devotees, who usually come with their families, hear Mass, dance in the “Turumba” procession and go into a pool which heals.

No one know how the turumba originated. Even the meaning of the word is not known. The legend tells us that a fisherman miraculously found a framed oil painting of Our Lady of Sorrows floating on the waters of the lagoon. The parish priest was then informed of this wondrous image. As the priest reverently approached the image the people started to dance and sing. Amidst much rejoicing the Image was carried to the church where the people joyously welcomed it with the ringing of the church bells. This was the first Turumba by which name the Spanish priest called the way the overjoyed people danced as if being out of themselves.

Where: Pakil is a quiet little town near the shores of Laguna de Bay in the Province of Laguna.

My rating: 7/10

I only attended one of the lupes. There was a large crowd of devotees but the procession was short. In fact the procession is only going around the chuch and this takes about 15 minutes. The devotees are indeed joyful but the dancing and singing is quite limited. In any case a visit to the church of Pakil is a must. This is a very charming church and you can also see the framed painting of the sorrowful Mother that was recovered in the lake. But if you want to look at the church in peace and without the crowds you better visit Pakil during ordinary days. In the town of Pakil you can also purchase lovely red papier maché horses for 100 pesos.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006 at 2:15 pm and is filed under Laguna, Travel Destinations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.