27/03/2024
✝️SEMANA SANTA Countdown✝️
Holy Wednesday
"The Origins of the Sto. Entierro Image
My story begins with a tale shared by Manay Fuensanta Quinatno, the first Public Librarian of Daraga, Albay. The municipal building used to house the public library. The building was split into two sections, with the library on the left and the Municipal Treasurer's office on the right. As a catechist, I often visited the library during my free time to chat with Manay Fuen. Our conversations often revolved around various topics, one of which was religious images, specifically the images of Sto. Cristo and Sto. Entierro.
According to Manay Fuen, a man once sought her advice about a large Santol tree near his house, which posed a threat during strong typhoons. Recognizing the tree's potential as a material for carving religious images, Manay Fuen recommended the names of two individuals known for owning religious images. The man heeded her advice, dividing the tree into two - one half was donated to the owner of Sto. Cristo, and the other half was carved into the image of Sto. Entierro. It remains unclear whether the "urna" was part of the original tree.
The owner of the Sto. Entierro image, as per my mother's account, had two adopted sons. One was physically handicapped, and the other was our Lolo Gregorio Adille. Lolo Gregorio, being capable, took care of the image and initiated the tradition of praying the "Siete Palabras" during the Fridays of the Lenten Season and on Maundy Thursday. This was followed by the bathing of the image with balsam and perfume, a practice reminiscent of Jewish customs before burying the dead.
Before his death, Lolo Gregorio entrusted the care of Sto. Entierro to Tata Onofre, hoping that the responsibility would transform his seemingly proud and arrogant behavior into kindness and humility. Upon Tata Onofre's death, his wife, Nanang Minang, assumed the role of the image's caretaker.
During a severe typhoon that devastated Albay Province, the ancestral house where the image was kept was destroyed. Around the same time, Nanang Minang fell ill. The presence of Sto. Entierro provided her comfort during her final moments, and we ensured she received the last sacraments.
Today, the care of Sto. Entierro is upheld by the current heirs, and the traditions associated with the image continue during Holy Week. We've built a modest chapel for the image, providing a quiet place for devotees and passersby to pray. Adjacent to the chapel is the renovated ancestral house, where we've asked Amija and her family to reside. Amija, a grandchild of Gregorio Adille's daughter Maximina, plays a significant role in safeguarding our Sto. Entierro.
We are all custodians of this Sacred Image, which unites our families as ONE. This tradition, marked by Love, Cooperation, and Support, is the language of our Clan and should be passed on to future generations.
Narrated and Written by:
LINA ADILLE MIRABUENO DIAZ"
PS 📸
Mama Lina is the 2nd from the right beside the late Auntie Colie and Auntie Tessie while
Auntie Chit her sister is seated first
from the left .
