Maria, selected photographs

Today, December 8, is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, one of the biggest Marian holidays in the Catholic world. Even up to now, Catholic schools in the Philippines would declare this day as a holiday. Too bad for the students that this year, the celebration falls on a Saturday – they would not get to have a free leisure day.


Canon EOS 350D, 0.02s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 400
at the Metropolitan Museum, Manhattan, New York, New York


The Immaculate Conception actually refers to the conception of Mary without original sin in the womb of her mother. This should not be mixed up with the dogma of Mary’s virginal conception of Jesus, i.e., free from sexual intercourse.

In commemoration to this day, I am presenting a special tribute to the Blessed Virgin, in pictures, in the some of the numerous titles that she is known of here in the Philippines.

Assumption
As the name implies, the Assumption portrays the Blessed Virgin as she assumed into heaven. Asuncion is the patron saint of several places in the Philippines, one of which is the municipality of Dauis in Bohol.


Canon PowerShot S40, 0.017s, f/2.8, 7.1mm, 1 EV, cropped
at the Marian Exhibit at the Ayala Mall, Cebu City, the Philippines, August 2005


Consolacion

The Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion is symbol of the Augustinian presence in the Philippines. Wherever the Augustinians go, they bring with them the veneration of the Lady of Consolations. Parishes, municipalities and schools are named after the Virgin. The Augustinians were among the first to establish an order in the Philippines- first in Cebú in 1565 and in Manila in 1571. In 1575 the Philippines became a separate Augustinian Province.


Canon PowerShot S40, 0.033s, f/2.8, 7.1mm, +1 EV
at the Marian Exhibit at the Ayala Mall, Cebu City, the Philippines, August 2005

Manaoag
One of the most popular Marian images in the Philippines is the Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. Replicas are all over the country and the one below is in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.


Canon PowerShot S40, 0.033s, f/2.8, 7.1mm
a replica of the Nuestra Señora de Manaog at the Museo San Pablo of the Saint Paul's Cathedral, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines


Rosario
One rare image of the La Rosarita is in Mahatao, Batanes. Reflective of the Formosan ancestry of the Ivatans, the statue bears distinct Chinese features: slanted eyes, the round face and light skin.


Canon EOS 350D, 0.25s, f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 100, -1/3 EV
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, San Carlos Borromeo Church, Mahatao town, Batan Island, Batanes, the Philippines


Regla
I have a personal affinity of the Nuestra Señora de Regla, as it is the black patroness of my hometown Opon (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu). Every feast day in November 21, many devotees and pilgrims from other islands come to pay respect, ask favors and seek blessings. A big event in her feast day is the traditional procession. It is believed that the fresh flowers at her feet in the processional caro (cart) are miraculous, but ONLY if taken after the procession. A cortege of men has to protect the caro when she reaches the church to prevent a literal riot by overzealous believers.


Canon PowerShot S40, 0.033s, f/2.8, 7.1mm, +1 EV
at the Marian Exhibit at the Ayala Mall, Cebu City, the Philippines, August 2005

Immaculate Heart
The heart refers to the virtues of the Virgin. Part physical, part soul, the heart is a symbol of her love for God, her son and her people.


f/5.6, 0.013s,155mm, ISO 1600,+1/3EV, uncropped
an image of Mary in the Noel Ancestral house, the Carcar City, Cebu, the Philippines