This event, which is currently in its 42nd edition (since it was postponed in 2020 and 2021) and honors the Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines, features revered Marian images from the Philippines that were given a Coronation "in Nomine et Auctoritate Summi Pontificis"—that is, "in the Name and Authority of the Supreme Pontiff"—also known as a "Pontifical Coronation."
Originally, the list contained 51 images; three were making their "Primera Salida" and one was making a long-awaited return; however, subsequent meetings of the Comite de Festejos took place, during which two more Coronadas were added, bringing the official list to a total of 53 (which is basically almost all of the Pontifically Crowned Marian images in the Philippines except for the Turumba). The Carrozas of the participating images were numbered according to the official list (51) and the two images that were later added had an alphabet letter included in their number according to the Cofradia's Comite rule.
Participation was announced on the official Facebook pages of the Churches of the Coronadas and a Venerada as early as September 23 (the earliest announcement to date) and continued until November 30. During this time, however, a group of overzealous minor teens decided to message several Shrines or Cofradias to see if their Coronadas would attend the event. Despite the fact that some responded, this incident was reported to higher-ups and caused a massive issue among Marian devotees and event enthusiasts, to the point where one shrine decided not to participate this year due to the situation.
On the day of the procession, 7 of the 53 images on the official list were not present, bringing the total number of participants to 46, up from 42 last year. Traditional dances were also revived in several entourages this year.
Despite the occasional drizzle throughout the procession, the Carroza of La Festejada arrived in front of the Manila Cathedral at approximately 9.37 p.m., 2 hours and 7 minutes later than last year (7.44 p.m.). Though the procession's official conclusion would be some time later. This year, TV Maria provided livestreaming during the Procession, following the SocCom of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu's initiative last year. Despite the poor connection caused by the drizzle for the first few hours, the livestream went off without a hitch for the next three hours.
There were numerous memorable moments at this event, such as the gathering of the four Coronadas of the Bicol Region and the five Coronadas of the Diocese of Antipolo outside the said Diocese. This also marked the return of Lumen de Cainta, whose last appearance in 2014 the iamge was owned by a family, but this time the image is from the actual Shrine. The Virgen de Sapao's official first salida after missing last year's scheduled participation, the return of Dolores de Quezon after her shocking absence last year, and of Del Pilar de Imus, whose Pontifical Coronation anniversary fell on the same day, included the return of the traditional "Karakol" in her honor, which was last done in 2017 (coincidentally, the date for that year's event was the same as this year).
This year also had the most "Guests of honor" (a term given to non-Marian images, venerated or family owned, that were included in the procession as part of the entourage, whether in a separate Andas or included in the Carroza of the particular Marian image) with four.
The participation of the Venerated and Pontifically Crowned Images of Nuestra Señora de Guia, who visited the Manila Cathedral last October as a form of "homecoming," and of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga from its Basilica in Naga in preparation for the centennial of its Canonical Coronation on September 20, 2024, is the most memorable part of this event. The Basilica of Peñafrancia last participated in 2019, bringing the Callejera image (the same one used for the Traslaciones and Fluvial Procession in September) with them in the walled city. And lastly the presence of the "Antiguas" image of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba, who last participated in 1997. Her presence was on the occasion of her long waited Pontifical Coronation that took place last September.
The complete and official list of this year's order of Procession from the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion, including the Guests of Honor, is available here. Those who are not present are shaded in Red, and as a new twist this year, returning images will be in Italics, while those taking part for the first time will be shaded in Blue. The short descriptions of the non-Coronada images are the same ones said during the Grand Marian Procession, same goes for the Coronadas but added with several more information.
1. San Andres Apostol, Patron de Manila
Intramuros Adminstration, Intramuros, Manila
Sponsor: CALOLBON (San Andres) Civic Association, Inc.
San Andres, Catanduanes
1. San Andres Apostol, Patron de Manila
Intramuros Adminstration, Intramuros, Manila
Sponsor: CALOLBON (San Andres) Civic Association, Inc.
San Andres, Catanduanes
One of the twelve apostles of Christ, St. Andrew, was also martyred on the cross. Feeling unworthy of dying in the same manner as the savior, he asked for another form of crucifixion, thus the X-shaped cross of St. Andrew. The Spanish victory over the Chinese invader Limahong was attributed to St. Andrew's intercession; he was proclaimed the special protector of Intramuros in 1589 and the patron saint of Manila.
2. San José, Patrón de la Iglesia Universal
Familia Rodriguez - Tengco
Baliuag, Bulacan
Foster father to the Christ Child and husband to Mary, St. Joseph was declared the patron saint of the universal church by Pope Pius IX in 1870. He is the patron saint of workers and fathers. St. Joseph's image usually accompanies that of the Virgin during processions in her honor.
3. Santa Ana y La Niña María de Hagonoy
Pambansang Dambana at Parokya ni Sta. Ana
Hagonoy, Bulacan
Pambansang Dambana at Parokya ni Sta. Ana
Hagonoy, Bulacan
Originally with the image of St. Joachim, the images of St. Anne and the child Mary are enshrined at the Parish Church in Hagonoy, Bulacan, established by the Augustinians in 1581. Every Tuesday, the relic of St. Anne is brought out for veneration and borne in a dawn procession. A fluvial procession is held on a Saturday preceding the feast day of "Apo Ana at Birheng Maria ng Hagonoy" on July 26.
San Pedro Alcantara Parish; Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba
Pakil, Laguna
5. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Muntinlupa Coronada
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned
Muntinlupa City
6. Nuestra Señora de la Merced de Tarlac Coronada
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Tarlac
Brgy. Matatalib, Tarlac City, Tarlac
with:
San Sebastian de Tarlac
with:
San Sebastian de Tarlac
St. Sebastian Cathedral
Tarlac City, Tarlac
7. La Inmaculada Concepción de Batangan y Santo Niño de Batangan
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Batangas City, Batangas
8. Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario, La Virgen de Sapao Coronada
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary
Cardona, Rizal
8-B. Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Maasin
Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
Maasin City, Southern Leyte
9. Mary Help of Christians
National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians
Better Living, Parañaque City
Nuestra Señora Patrocinio de Maria Parish (Boljoon Church)
Boljoon, Cebu
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy
Novaliches, Quezon City
Mater Dolorosa Parish (Our Lady of Sorrows Parish)
Brgy. Dolores, Capas, Tarlac
National Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows
Dolores, Quezon
National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
Kanlaon, Quezon City
with
St. Bernadette Soubirous
Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi-Parish
Bignay, Valenzuela City
Bignay, Valenzuela City
15. Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
New Manila, Quezon City
Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion
Sta. Maria, Bulacan
Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Makati City, Metro Manila
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Light
Cainta, Rizal
19. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
San Roque Parish; Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
San Roque, Cavite City
20. Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Morong
Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish
Morong, Bataan
21. La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc - Nuestra Señora, Causa de Nuestra Alegria
Basilica of San Juan Bautista
Badoc, Ilocos Norte
22. Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila
Sta. Cruz Church; Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Sta. Cruz, Manila
23. Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Coronada
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu
San Mateo, Rizal
24. Virgen del Pilar de Libmanan Coronada
Parish and Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar
San Isidro, Libmanan, Camarines Sur
Imus Cathedral - Our Lady of the Pillar Parish
Imus, Cavite
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
Paracale, Camarines Norte
26. La Inmaculada Concepción de Malolos
Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Malolos, Bulacan
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Pasig City
28. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu
Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebu
Cebu City
Familia Mendez - Camarero
Punta Princesa, Cebu City
29. Our Lady of the Abandoned, Birhen ng Marikina Coronada
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned
Sta. Elena, Marikina City
30. Nuestra Señora de Buen Suceso Coronada
St. Andrew’s Cathedral-Parish
La Huerta, Parañaque City
31. Nuestra Señora del Carmen de San Sebastian
Basilica Minore de San Sebastian
Quiapo, Manila
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned; Santa Ana Church
Sta. Ana, Manila
33. La Inmaculada Concepción de Malabon
Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Malabon City
34. Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Manila
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia de Manila
Paco, Manila
Jaro Cathedral; National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles
Jaro, Iloilo
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation
Joroan, Tiwi, Albay
Three Kings Parish; National Shrine of Virgen La Divina Pastora
Gapan, Nueva Ecija
38. Nuestra Señora de Namacpacan
St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish
Luna, La Union
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
Orani, Bataan
40. Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa
Diocesan Shrine of the Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa
Mataas na Bayan, Boac, Marinduque
Cofradia ning Indung Virgen de los Remedios
Guagua, Pampanga
Saint Augustine Parish; Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad
Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guía
Ermita, Manila
Minor Basilica of San Martin de Tours / Archdiocesan Shrine of Virgen de Caysasay
Taal, Batangas
Familia Orlina - Camarero
Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila
45. Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat
Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat; St. Dominic Parish
Piat, Cagayan
International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage; Antipolo Cathedral
Antipolo, Rizal
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag
Manaoag, Pangasinan
48. Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Naga y Señor Divino Rostro
Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica Minore and National Shrine
Naga City, Camarines Sur
Peñafrancia Devotees Association
Mandaluyong City
49. Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario, La Naval de Manila
Ms. Josefina Cu and Family
Cubao, Quezon City
50. Nuestra Señora de la Consolación y Correa
San Agustin Church; Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Consolación y Correa
Intramuros, Manila
51. La Festejada - La Virgen Inmaculada Concepción, Mater Purísima
Department of Tourisim - Intramuros Administration
Intramuros, Manila
The image was commissioned by the Intramuros Administration in 1980 as substitute for the image of the Immaculate Conception housed in the 19th Century San Ignacio Church in Intramuros. The Intramuros Administration image accompanies the annual Grand Marian Procession held every first Sunday of December in the walled city under the sponsorship of the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion incorporated.
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credits:
Photo of La Festejada: Robby Villano Dela Vega
credits:
Photo of La Festejada: Robby Villano Dela Vega
Collage of the IGMP participants: Enzo Raphael Cadag
