The “Salubong” is an Easter tradition in the Philippines that reenacts the meeting of the risen Jesus and his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Many parishes like the one in Macabebe moved the ritual to late Saturday evening immediately after the Easter Vigil.
Statues of the Risen Christ and Mater Dolorosa are borne in two separate processions that converge at a designated area called a “Galilea", which is often an open space with a purpose-built scaffold (permanent or otherwise) outside the church.
Those in the procession hold lit candles as a band plays joyful music.
The icon of the Virgin Mary, still called the Mater Dolorosa, is clothed or draped in black “veil” (Tagalog: lambong) to show her bereavement.
The puso-puso is a fine example of folk art used for the Salubong.
It's shaped like a bud with several layers of petals made out of cardboard, papel de hapon and crepe paper.
Hidden above the pusu-puso is a little girl dressed as an angel.
The veiled image of the Sorrowful Mother is brought under the pusu-puso.
Layer by layer, the pusu-puso opens, raining petals and confetti on the Mater Dolorosa.
With the opening of the last layer, the little girl, who sings Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia (Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia), is lowered on a swing just right over the head of the Mater Dolorosa so she could take off the veil.
Once the veil is removed, the doors of the Church open and the Risen Christ comes out to greet his Mother.
Fireworks are then lit, the band starts playing and the crowd applauds. The Easter Season has begun.
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