bangued's posts with tag: abong-abong
|  | Long time ago when car batteries were nonexistent, calcium carbide (carboro in Ilocano which is a chemical used to ripen mangoes) was often used to fuel the lights of the carrozas. So just imagine following a carroza with real fire spitting out of the tubes and inhaling some strange-smelling gas fuming out of the carroza's skirt.
Later, car batteries and wheels (like those of the garumatas) were introduced. Men didn't need to take turns to carry these tableaux on their shoulders anymore. However, sometime in 1980s to early 90s, carrozas were kept in storage and bultos were paraded on vehicles. The church eventually went against the use of vehicles and before the turn of the 21st century, the tableaux were back on wheels - this time much lighter wheels like those of ordinary bicycles.
Interestingly, I've been observing these carrozas for a few years now since I started filming them in 2000. And year after year, the same problem persists - too much flowers, proliferation of fluorescent light bulbs and even tubes and a whole lot more. Surprisingly, some owners don't realize that their bultos and carrozas are antique. They think that putting more flowers (to some extent that you'd notice the flowers more than the image itself) or wrong types of lights in areas and ways unimaginable would equate to more beautiful or much grander carrozas when in reality it is the opposite. Sigh.
I won't go into details which and whose bultos and carrozas have changed. The pictures below are enough proof of years of careless restoration and transformation.
Anyway, here's an additional and more interesting fact: Did you know that some of these bultos have their own farms? Actually, their owners do so that come Semana Santa they won't have to worry anymore where to get the money to support their bultos. |
 The abong-abongs are slowly disappearing.
This is a sad news. When I was a kid, I enjoyed viewing the abong-abongs painstakingly built and wonderfully decorated by a family or groups of families and communities. Back then, there was a sense of community and everyone seemed to know and help one another. Now though is the opposite. Some abong-abongs which had been more like "short-lived landmarks" for as long as I could remember are now gone. While we greatly consider how the price of bamboo has climbed up through the years, this should not be a source of discouragement for all of us. For the bulto owners or santeros, I'd like to appeal to please refrain from using fluorescent lights though these are energy-efficient. Let's leave these lights at our homes or where they are intended to be used. Lastly, I'd like to call on those kind-hearted and generous people who would like to sponsor
some of our abong-abongs or bultos in Bangued especially those santeros who cannot afford to have their carrozas properly maintained and decorated. Please come forward and help support our fellow Banguedenios. Rekindle the spirit of unity. Keep this centuries-old tradition alive.
Viernes Santo's version of abong-abongs. Video taken in 2006. abong-abong 2.wmv (9.8 MB)
Abong-abongs, usually made out of bamboo poles with thatched grass or coconut/palm leaves roof, are put up along the procession's route a few days before Semana Santa. Fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, bananas, jicama (singkamas), corns (and even betel nut) among other local crops are hung from the roof.
Such tradition is also being practiced in some parts of Abra like Lagangilang, Tayum, Pidigan, Bucay (where real people are used as props), San Quintin and even in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
"Intayon agpasyar ti abong-abong." (Let's go check out the abong-abong.) After the libut, everyone gets to check out the abong-abongs along the routes of the procession. Video taken in 2006. abong-abong.wmv (11.6 MB)
Apart from the typical "libut" during the Holy Week, this religious tradition also showcases the artistry, creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of Banguedenios through their "abong-abong" and altars depicting the passion of Jesus Christ.
Seen here are the statues of the Crucifixion, Pieta, Apo Entierro, followed by individual "bulto" of Santa Veronica (not on the video), Santa Maria Cleofe, Santa Maria Salome, Santa Maria Magdalena, San Juan and Mater Dolorosa.
All statues are antique except the "bulto" of the Crucifixion which is relatively new this year. viernes santo.wmv (25.4 MB)
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