Another significant element that has become important in the annual Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, aside from the participating images or the order of the procession, is the roadside altars. This element not only offers opportunities to only appreciate the sights and surroundings of the "Walled City" by finding them while waiting for the procession or for the said procession to pass by, but it also fosters spiritual growth for the faithful and at the same time further promotes and spreads that particular devotion by exposing whether it is an image or a relic for veneration.
Roadside altars, also known as wayside shrines, are very common in several countries, particularly in Mexico and more commonly in European countries such as Poland, Italy, and Spain, among others. They can be basic or elaborate and they come in many styles.
For the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession, the roadside altars are based on the Spanish tradition of erecting altars along the route of specific processions, such as the annual Corpus Christi celebration or extraordinary processions, where the Paso or Palio stops in front of the altar. In some cases, if the altar is located outside a church or chapel, whether at a portico or doorway, the Paso or Palio performs an act of "salute."
A roadside altar in the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession was first recorded in 2019 and was only recently discovered this year while the author of this post was doing research. The antique image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was displayed at the entrance of the Lyceum beside its tower in Muralla; however, back then roadside altars were not yet prominent as they are now today.
2022-2023: When it was still called "Dungaw"
Only in 2022, the year the IGMP resumed after a 2-year postponement due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic, did the roadside altar become prominent and slowly become well known.
The first recorded roadside altar was the image of the Birhen ng Barangay of Familia Angeles, a regular participant of the IGMP (which made its return at this year's event as the procession is headlined by the Privadas) in Mapua University. Since the participants for that year are pontifically crowned Marian images, the roadside altar was found to be an alternative to still participate, albeit not joining in the actual procession. During this time and in the following year, it was called "Dungaw," possibly in reference to the same rite of meeting between the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno and Nuestra Señora del Carmen at San Sebastian Cathedral during the Traslacion every January 9.
In 2023, the Virgen de Angeles returned to participate via the then-"Dungaw," as the participants were still the pontifically crowned Marian images. However, a surprise came when the venerated image of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Malusac, also known as "Apu Sayong," enshrined in her parish church in the coastal area of Malusac, Sasmuan, Pampanga, graced Intramuros with its presence via the "Dungaw" and was placed on a simple altar at Palacio Grande in the corner of Gen. Luna and Anda. It was reported that there were three more images participating at the "Dungaw," but as of this time, their identities were never revealed.
It is at this time that the Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion decided that, depending on the situation, images of saints and of the Blessed Mother (specifically those who participate at the IGMP) may join the "Dungaw" along the procession route.
2024: The formal start of the Roadside Altars
In 2024, as the participants were still pontifically crowned Marian images, the Cofradia officially promoted the practice, allowing images, whether participants of the IGMP pre-pandemic or those desiring to be venerated by the faithful, to set up roadside altars along the route, whether on Carroza, Andas, or a simple altar, as long as they do not obstruct the procession, and once the Festejada passes, they are allowed to join the procession. Those interested then contacted the Intramuros Administration, which manages the procession, to find a suitable place for their altar. It was also this year that the practice was officially called "roadside altars."
And just like the IGMP participants, roadside altars gained popularity as they made announcements on Facebook. Those who made announcements are the following:
- Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Malusac (Plazuela de Santa Isabel)
- La Niña Maria de Sariaya (Clamshell parking lot)
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help of Baclaran (Knights of Columbus Bldg.)
- Nuestra Señora del Pilar y Santiago Apostol de Ibaan (Pandiman Bldg.)
- Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Navotas (AMOSUP-Seaman's Hospital [South Wing])
- La Niña Maria de Santa Isabel (DOLE Bldg.)
- Then-Bl. Carlo Acutis [image and relic] (MPD Police station, Baluarte de San Andres)
- Mary Help of Christians de Maypajo (Manila Bulletin)
- Nuestra Señora de Peregrina (open space in front of Bayleaf)
- Virgen de la Victoria de Potrero (Baluarte de San Francisco, front of Mapua Yuchengco innovation center)- Virgen de Barangay (Mapua University)
- Mahal na Ina ng Kagalingan ng mga maysakit de Bambang (Puerta del Parian)
- Ina Poon Bato (7-11 Letran)
2025: Roadside altars are now officially a part of the IGMP
- Nuestra de Guia de Ermita (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; last minute after the Archdiocesan Shrine in Ermita retracted their participation)
2025: Roadside altars are now officially a part of the IGMP
Due to the interest of many shrines and churches in adding their patrons to the roadside altars, a formal registration system was introduced, and the roadside altars are now an official part of the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession.
The registration process, implemented this year, requires interested parties to contact the IA and submit an intent; the IA will then provide them with a form and affidavit before confirming their participation. Buildings within the Intramuros Area that set up their altar are given exemptions.
At the recently concluded 44th Intramuros Grand Marian Procession last December 7, there were 24 roadside altars originally listed by the Cofradia and the IA; however, the list expanded as there were others that were able to join at the last minute, making the official count 40 roadside altars, almost double the original list. With the participating images in the IGMP for this year headlined by the privadas, several Coronadas participated through the roadside altars, while some images that participated last year continued to join.
Some Marian images are paired with other saints' images or relics, while saints' images are paired with their relics or just represented by them.
Announcements of participation for the roadside altar began on November 7 and continued up until the day of the event, December 7. Some venerated images participated but did not make an announcement; rather, information about their presence was made after the event.
We now present the complete and final list of roadside altars and images positioned along the procession route for the 44th IGMP. This list reflects the altars’ actual locations on the day of the event, not the locations indicated at the time of their participation announcement. Each image is counted individually; even if multiple images share a single altar or are accompanied by images or relics of the Saints, they are included in the list along with the corresponding image. Altars set up by commercial or private establishments in front of their premises are likewise included.
Clamshell Parking Lot, General Luna
1. La Niña Maria de Sariaya
Familia Parga
Lucena City, Quezon Province
2. La Niña Maria de Sariaya
Familia Marquez
Lagalag, Tiaong, Quezon Province
3. Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de Coloong y San Diego de Alcala
Familia Marcelo
Coloong, Valenzuela City
Plazuela de Santa Isabel, General Luna
4. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati (image and relic)
Frassati Society Philippines
Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc., center, General Luna
6. Bl. Michael McGivney (image and relic)
Knights of Columbus
Pandiman Building, General Luna
7. Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Ibaan
Archdiocesan Shrine of St. James the Greater
Ibaan, Batangas
8. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Brixton Hill, Quezon City
NCCA Gallery, General Luna
9. Virgen de la Soledad (antique relief)
National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines
Patio Victoria, General Luna
10. Nuestra Señora de Montserrat y San Benito Abad
Hermandad de la Sagrada Eucaristía
El Almanecer Compound, General Luna
11. Our Lady of Lourdes
Silahis Center
Intramuros, Manila
AMOSUP Seamen's Hospital South Wing, General Luna
12. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Navotas
Sta. Cruz Parish
Tanza, Navotas City
13. Nuestra Señora de Lujan (private image)
Familia Epetia
Caloocan City
DOLE Building, General Luna
14. Santa Maria Ianua Cæli
San Nicolas de Tolentino Chapel
San Nicolas, Pasig City
15. Sta. Teresa de Avila de Barrio Pineda
Dambana ni Sta. Teresa de Avila
Pineda, Pasig City
MPD Police Station, Baluarte de San Andres, Muralla
16. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Nueva Écija
San Isidro Labrador Parish
San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
Manila Bulletin Building, Muralla
17. Mary Help of Christians de Maypajo
Mary Help of Christians Parish
Maypajo, Caloocan City
18. Maria Auxiliadora de Sitio Bitik and St. John Bosco (relic)
Chapel of Mary Help of Christians
Bitik, Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City
19. Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Ugong
Nuestra Señora del Rosario Chapel
Ugong, Pasig City
Open space near Bayleaf Hotel, Muralla cor. Victoria
20. Nuestra Señora de las Flores de Siniloan
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Siniloan, Laguna
21. Nuestra Señora de La Salette
Our Lady of La Salette Quasi-Parish
Mt. View, Muzon, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan
Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao, Muralla
22. Maria Immacolata
Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate
Paranaque City
23. St. Carlo Acutis (relic)
Friends of Saint Carlo Acutis Philippines
24. Nuestra Señora de la Peregrina
VOT Church—San Antonio de Padua Shrine
Sampaloc, Manila
Mapua University (in front of the Yuchengco Innovation center), Muralla
25. Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula, San Francisco de las Lágrimas, Santa Clara de Asís, San Pedro Bautista, and San Antonio de Padua
Minor Basilica of San Pedro Bautista
San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City
Mapua University, Muralla
26. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Marikina Coronada (réplica)
De Guzman-Cruz Family
Marikina City
27. Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados de Manila
National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados
Santa Ana, Manila
28. La Inmaculada Concepción de Batangan
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception—Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño de Batangan
Batangas City, Batangas
29. Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Manila
Minor Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar—Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament
Sta. Cruz, Manila
30. San Jose de Quezon City
Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph
Cubao, Quezon City
31. Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso
St. Andrew Cathedral—Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso
Paranaque City
Lyceum University, Muralla
32. Bl. Rolando Rivi (Image and relic)
Friends of Blessed Rolando Rivi Philippines
Puerta del Parian, ASEAN Gardens, Muralla
33. Mahal na Ina ng Kagalingan ng mga Maysakit, Sto. Niño Kagalingan ng mga maysakit, St. Anna Schäffer (relic), Holy Face of Manoppello
San Isidro Labrador Parish
Bambang, Bulakan, Bulacan
7-11 Letran, Muralla cor. Anda
34. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria de Potrero
Our Lady of Victory Chapel
Potrero, Malabon City
Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Muralla
35. Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu
National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Aránzazu
San Mateo, Rizal
Plazuela de Madre Francisca del Espíritu Santo de Fuentes, Muralla
36. Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad
Santísima Trinidad Parish
Malate, Manila
37. Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
San Roque Parish - Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
Cavite City, Cavite
Baluarte de San Gabriel, Muralla
38. Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Meycauayan
San Francisco de Asis Parish
Meycauayan City, Bulacan
Plazuela between Baluarte de San Gabriel & Puerta de Isabel II, Muralla
39. Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat de Binagbag
Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish
Binagbag, Angat, Bulacan
Puerta de Isabel II, Muralla
40. Mary Mediatrix of all Grace
Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace
Max's Restaurant, Soriano
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Batong Paloway *
Cofradia de la Virgen Dolorosa de Batong Paloway
San Andres, Catanduanes
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Footnotes:
(*) The Dolores de Batong Paloway, as we all know, accompanies the image of San Andres Apostol during the Intramuros Grand Marian Procession (see). After taking part in the procession, the image of the Dolorosa was removed to the carroza of San Andres and later placed on a simple altar at the mentioned location for the remainder of the event. Since the Dolores de Batong Paloway is included in the official order of procession on this blog, the author chose not to count it among the roadside altars while still including it in this post for the sake of consistency.
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Credits to the owners of the photos used for this post.
