Ma-Cho Temple

05/04/2026

🌿 CHING MING FESTIVAL 2026 (清明節) 🌿

To our Filipino-Chinese community, as we honor our ancestors this coming April 4th & 5th, 2026, here is a quick guide to this year's traditions.

📅 IMPORTANT DATES

• CHUI MIA (Hokkien Eve): Saturday, April 4, 2026

• CHING MING DAY: Sunday, April 5, 2026

🙏 WHAT IS CHING MING?

Known as Tomb Sweeping Day, this is a time for families to gather at the cemetery or columbarium to show filial piety (Xiao). It is a day to remember our roots and ensure our ancestors are well-cared for in the afterlife.

✨ TRADITIONS & RITUALS
• Cleaning the Graves: Pulling weeds and repainting headstone inscriptions.

• Offerings: Laying out favorite foods, tea, and wine for the deceased.

• Burning Incense & Joss Paper: Offering "spirit money" and paper replicas to provide for our ancestors' needs.

• Family Reunion: After the rituals, families often share a meal together, strengthening bonds between generations.

📍 REMINDER

While April 5th is the official date, traditions allow for visiting 10 days before or after to avoid heavy crowds at the cemeteries.
May this season bring your family closer together in remembrance and gratitude. Wishing everyone a meaningful and peaceful Ching Ming. 🙏✨

15/02/2026

17/04/2025

WHY APRIL 20 IS SPECIAL: THE STORY OF MAMA MA-CHO’S BIRTHDAY
(农历三月廿三日 — Mazu's Birthday)

Every year, on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month, devotees around the world honor the birth of Ma-Cho, also known as Mazu, the beloved Chinese sea goddess and protector of fishermen, sailors, and travelers.

Born as Lin Moniang in the 10th century on Meizhou Island, China, Mazu was known for her compassion, wisdom, and miraculous ability to rescue those in danger at sea. After her passing, people continued to report divine interventions and miracles at sea, and she was venerated as a guardian deity.

Her birthday has been celebrated for centuries with prayers, offerings, processions, and cultural festivities—not only in China and Taiwan, but also in Chinese communities across Southeast Asia and here in San Fernando, La Union.

In the Philippines, Mama Ma-Cho is a symbol of faith, hope, and unity among devotees. The Ma-Cho Temple, standing proudly in San Fernando since 1975, is the oldest Ma-Cho temple in the country and a bridge between Filipino and Chinese spiritual traditions.

This April 20, 2025, we join millions of devotees worldwide in honoring Mama Ma-Cho—offering our prayers, gratitude, and devotion for her continued guidance and protection.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Mabuhay si Mama Ma-Cho!

04/04/2025

The Qingming Festival/Ching Ming Festival is also known as the ‘Pure Bright Festival’, and ‘Tomb Sweeping Day’. In Chinese, it's 清明节. For the Chinese, it i...

02/12/2024

17/08/2022

| It is with great sadness that we bring to you the sad news of the demise of our beloved brother Rev. Fr. Froilan Saluta. We are forever grateful for the gift of the Priesthood bestowed by our Lord on Fr. Toti and for the priestly ministry he has exercised tirelessly up to the very end. Let us continue to offer our prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.

𝔈𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔩 𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔤𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔱 𝔲𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔦𝔪 𝔒, 𝔏𝔬𝔯𝔡
𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔩𝔢𝔱 𝔜𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔭𝔢𝔱𝔲𝔞𝔩 𝔩𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔢 𝔬𝔫 𝔥𝔦𝔪. 𝔄𝔪𝔢𝔫.

Details about the place and time of funeral will follow.

04/06/2022

La Union....

A Marian exhibit now taking place in Luna, La Union depicting Our Lady of Caysasay in the image of Mama Ma-Cho. An affirmation of devotees’ perception that they are ONE AND THE SAME.

11/09/2021

https://tulay.ph/2019/08/06/mama-ma-cho-as-mama-mary/

Front facade of Ma Cho Temple in San Fernando, La Union with the bell tower and Kuan Yin Shrine at the right side (main photo). Our Lady of Caysasay at the Batangas Basilica, Ma Cho in San Fernando…

07/03/2021