The Intramuros Grand Marian Procession returned this past Sunday, December 4, after the last 2 years were postponed due to the prevailing Coronavirus pandemic. The annual event is organized by the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Inc. together with the Intramuros Administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
This year, the Cofradia has decided to only invite images from the Philippines that were bestowed with a Canonical Crown "in Nomine et Auctoritate Summi Pontificis" (in the name and authority of the Supreme Pontiff) commonly known as "Coronadas" due to the pandemic, despite the fact that restrictions are gradually being lifted. However, this format is only gradual meaning that by next year depending on the pandemic restrictions by then, they are intending to slowly include other images, either Episcopally Crowned (those given with Coronation by the local ordinary) or all images that participate on this event annually.
Of the 54 Coronadas in the Philippines (as of this writing, 49 have already been crowned and 5 are about to be crowned), 41 participated in the Procession, with 34 officially listed by the Cofradia and 7 either participating for the first time, returning after a long absence, or being left off the official list (these images were indicated with letters in their Carroza plate number). Participation announcements were made as early as October. With the images of San Andres, San Jose, Santa Ana, and the Festejada, the total number of images participating is 45.
However, only 42 was only present on the day of the Procession with 3 Coronadas not able to participate for various reasons, they are:
- Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Imus - due to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of her Canonical Coronation the day before (December 3).
- Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, La Virgen de Sapao - due to lack of planning (a rare case in recent memory that a new participant of the IGMP was unable to join).
- Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Quezon (a surprise absentee, since she is an annual participant of the IGMP)
Changes were also made to the flow of the Procession after the Cofradia implemented certain guidelines to ensure that the Procession would continue uninterrupted. This is done to avoid the delays that occurred in 2017 and 2019, particularly with the latter, when the image presentation lasted nearly until midnight. The prohibition of choreographed and costumed dancers, excessive entourages and processional props, stationary dancing, rituals and performances, and confetti were among the changes.
Nonetheless, numerous memorable moments occurred with the return of the Procession in the Walled City. 15 of the images that participated were the original/actual "Coronadas" (Merced de Tarlac is included), the participation of the original image of the Birhen ng Biglang Awa of Marinduque, the return of the Carmen de San Sebastian after many years, the first participation of the Virgen de Salvacion de Joroan, Virgen de Candelaria de Jaro and La Inmaculada Concepcion de Malabon.
The participation of the image of the Santo Sepulcro of Landayan, Laguna, commonly known as "Lolo Uweng" to accompany the Soledad de Porta Vaga is the most surprising of all. The announcement came as a surprise on the morning of the event.
Another surprise is the first participation of the original image of the Virgen de la Paz y Buen Viaje de Antipolo. Previously, the image was typically represented by a family-owned image. This is also her return to Intramuros, which she visited in June 2021 as part of the 395th anniversary of the image's arrival in the Philippines. At the time, strict restrictions were still in place, and only a few people were permitted to visit the Manila Cathedral.
Finally, the image of the Birhen de Barangay of the Angeles Family, an annual IGMP participant, was displayed for the public on a "Dungaw" at Mapua University in Muralla Street, along the Procession route. A symbolic gesture to represent the other Marian images that attend the event each year.
So here is the complete and official list of the order of procession. The numbering of this order is in a continuous format, new and returning participants are in italics (while the ones with letters indicated in their Carroza plate numbers are listed underneath them) while the 3 images that were unable to participate are colored in Red.
1. San Andres, Patron de Manila
Intramuros Adminstration, Intramuros, Manila
Sponsor: CALOLBON (San Andres) Civic Association, Inc.
San Andres, Catanduanes
2. San José, Patrón de la Iglesia Universal
Familia Rodriguez - Tengco
Baliuag, Bulacan
Pambansang Dambana at Parokya ni Sta. Ana
Hagonoy, Bulacan
4. Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba
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