CAN THE CHAPELS DO THE SUGAT ?

It was unexpected and a shocking proposal followed by a wallop of discouragement.  But despite the disabling blow, the spirit of cooperation remained tucked with loyalty.   This is my observation of the first two meetings that I attended for the purpose of organizing the Committees of the Piyesta sa Minglanilla 2011, with the critical tasks relegated to the Officers and Members of the fifty-two chapel organizations of Minglanilla for the first time.   The man behind the scene is a determined minister!

I came in almost late and was hurriedly hoisted up into a bamboo platform at the SUGATAN where four-year-old ‘angels’ like me are stationed for the rite.   Looking up, I recognized the great AGILA at rest.  From where I was, I had this good view of the thousands that gathered to celebrate the traditional SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA.

If there has to be somebody to be given a certificate of award for a job well-done for the Fiesta 2011, this man is the Rev. Father Oscar Ornopia.  It was Father Oscar who provided the magic that awakened the officers and members of the 52-Chapel organizations of the Parish into accepting hook-line-sinker the challenge to manage the religious aspects of the town fiesta.

At 4 in the morning, the bells at the KAMPANARIO are tolled continuously and the carozas bearing the images of the Tres Marias and San Pedro are moved into the crowd with a ‘flying Angel’ leading the way from the PATIO to the SUGATAN, a distance of several yards..   Taking the position at Vito Road on the southwest is the caroza of the Delgra Family bearing the image of the Resurrected Christ, awaiting its beaming entry.

Father Oscar’s practical appeal ultimately erased the fears of the inexperienced officials.  He assured them that the fiesta can be celebrated even better using just the resources the Chapels can raise over a limited period of time.  His guidance overshadowed the unfulfilled promises, meager donations and budget cuts and made history that ‘loose change’ can make miracles too.  The success of the event has also shown that good ideas are not exclusive to the leaders but to the ranks and files as well. 

As the carozas of the Sorrowful Mother and the Resurrected Christ met at midcenter, just below the AGILA’s claws, the  MUSIKEROS of Barrio Tulay moved to play their piece bringing the AGILA to life,  becking ‘angels’ into its mighty wings, dropping them to its tail and claws, and into the four corners of the SUGATAN.   Then the ‘Angel of Sorrow and Joy’ makes the final descent closer to the caroza of the Sorrowful Mother to fetch its dark robe, revealing the majestic cape of joy and jubilation underneath it a peculiar scene that somehow never failed to alter Our Lady’s facial expressions from sorrow into  RADIANT JOY AND MAJESTY FIT FOR THE  QUEEN OF HEAVEN.   At this point, our mentor Noy Kyanong Bas would raise his hands to signal all ‘Angels’ to sing the Regina Caeli in one accord:

REGINA, caeli, laetare, alleluia:

Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.     

After the OREMUS, the LUTHANG are fired making two thunderous roars announcing the tragic end of Judas Iscariote, burning an effigy of him hanged by a tree. 

Can the future experience the past?  Can the Chapels do the Sugat?  Can we once more relive the spirit of the SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA away from the KABANHAWAN?   Can we have the Sugat back even just for once, perhaps this year 2012 on the 24^th of December, at dawn at the same Plaza Maria after the ‘Midnight Mass?’   

I am optimistic that with Father Oscar on the lead and with the same degree of loyalty and cooperation among Chapel Officers and members, and  with support of the religious, the traditional SUGAT SA MINGLANILLA  can be relived – more spiritually than pompous – more Christian than Catholic.