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Published April 16, 2025 8:53pm
Art and faith intertwine in Paete, Laguna as seen through the town's famous moving saints, which are showcased in a procession during Holy Week.
In Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras" Wednesday, Rex Estores, adviser at the Parochial Historical and Cultural Heritage Ministry of the Roman Catholic Parish of San Santiago Apostol, said that this tradition of showcasing moving saints began in the 18th century.
One of the famous moving saints of Paete is the image of Sta. Veronica.
According to Estores, the image has mechanisms that make its hands, arms, and head move.
"Ito po'y hindi mula sa isang himala or hindi ito milagro, ito po ay mula sa mga banal na mekanismo sa kaniyang katawan. Meron pong mga strings na naka-connect sa kaniyang braso, sa kaniyang kamay, at sa kaniyang ulo para po siya makagalaw na tanging mga taga-Paete lang ang gumagawa at nag-aayos ng mga mekanismo na 'yun," he said.
He added that only a few people know how to make the religious figures move.
"Hindi po siya basta-basta na pwedeng pagalawin ng kahit na sino. Even po 'yung pagsasaayos ng mga mekanismo, may mga natatanging pamilya lamang po ang may kakayanang magpagalaw sa kaniya."
For the people of Paete, this longstanding tradition is part of their propagation of the Catholic faith, per the report. Estores also said that it is a way to show the importance of faith and devotion to others.
"Pag ikaw ay isang turista, aalis ka rito bilang isang deboto. Pinapakita po ng mga taga-Paete, hindi lamang kami arts. Hindi lang kami gumagawa ng mga arts, bagkus itinuturo din po namin at pinapakita kung ano nga ba ang kahalagahan ng debosyon at pananampalataya na siyang nakaugat sa kasaysayan ng ating kaligtasan," he shared.
Aside from the image of Sta. Veronica, another famous moving saint in Paete is the image of Mater Dolorosa.
According to Kuya Kim, the image of Mater Dolorosa was carved by Mariano Madriñan in 1882 and showcased in the International Exposition in the Netherlands where it earned recognition from King Alfonso XII of Spain.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News
