At the eve of the Feast of the Lady of the Pilar, most of the Filipino families come by droves to the Fort Pilar Shrine to light the candles, pay homage to Our Lord Jesus, Our Lady of the Pilar and saints and of course, to just sit on one of the benches and pray.
On the way to the Shrine, we pass by the Plaza Del Pilar and the wall of the Fort Pilar which is the entrance of the National Museum.
Candle vendor.
We meet candle vendors along the way, but this lady is really very smiling as she sells her candles. I begged off this time since we had huge red candles with the Chinese dragon design. The next day, I met her again and she happened to know who I was and this time, I bought candles from her.
Sometimes, the religious side also has the belief side as seen in this sign:
Entrance.
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| Of course, the first entrance is for safety... |
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| As we enter the Shrine proper... |
Prayer Before Lighting of the Candle.
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| our prayer before lighting candles |
Lighting of the Candles.
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| the boys help us out with our large candles |
We also have the chance to bring over our guests to the Shrine as well as meet friends who also happen to be there.
Central Altar.
The decorations for the main altar and the whole Shrine is still ongoing!
Carillon Bells.
The decorations for the main altar and the whole Shrine is still ongoing!
As we leave.
I love how the buntings are flowing with the wind this Fiesta Pilar Eve!
I love how the buntings are flowing with the wind this Fiesta Pilar Eve!
The funfare and revelry we experience with Fiesta Pilar 2012 gives us the air of the feast and showcases Zamboanga at its happiest.
But, let us never forget the essence of the Fiesta Pilar is our continued prayerfulness and our devotion to the Lord and respect to our Mediatrix, the Lady of the Pilar.
P.S.
Here is the link to my post last year on the Eve of the Fiesta Pilar.
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/09/fort-pilar-through-years.html
But, let us never forget the essence of the Fiesta Pilar is our continued prayerfulness and our devotion to the Lord and respect to our Mediatrix, the Lady of the Pilar.
P.S.
Here is the link to my post last year on the Eve of the Fiesta Pilar.
http://inpinaysfootsteps.blogspot.com/2011/09/fort-pilar-through-years.html
Read a lot of blogs about Fiesta Pilar lately! It makes me want to pack my things and a have trip to Zamboanga! =)
ReplyDelete-dropping by from CommEx 10.23
Just happened two of us in Commex are from Zamboanga!!!
DeleteWas that a dragon in the candle? I wonder why? :D
ReplyDeleteReally, I also cannot correlate why the Dragon candles for the Lady of the Pillar. The only reason I can explain for my family is that they are of Chinese descent! Maybe the Chinese in ZC started it and has become a tradition?!?!?
DeleteSame question as Khim, why are there dragons on the candles? If you don't look at anything else other than the red candles with dragons, you'd think the place was a Buddhist temple.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Olga and Khim! I should dig deeper into this. I, too, have gotten used to the tradition and forgot to ask why!
DeleteThanks for sharing the photos. Happy fiesta!
ReplyDeleteThanks, too!
DeleteThat's very festive! Makes me want to go visit Zamboanga... :-)
ReplyDeletelots of dragon candles.. is that a tradition to light dragon candles? just wondering :).. i like moving photo how you do it? hehehehe....visiting from Com Ex oct23
ReplyDeleteRosemarie... I use "make a gif" site. Try it out but prepare pictures taken in bursts.
DeleteWould love to visit Zamboanga but just don't know when will it be. I would love to see this Fort Pilar as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the decors. Especially the ones in the altar.
ReplyDeleteWow, the festivities just don't seem to end, right? Highest level celebration na to :-)
ReplyDeleteto the joviality of your fiesta!
ReplyDeleteyou really celebrate your fiesta that long?
yes, Reese and Aileen...most of the activities are packed in two weeks but there are other gatherings throughout the month...
DeleteThose candles are huge! I've only lighted puny little candles in Quiapo church.
ReplyDeleteThose are really big candles. I didn't know that there are so many different meanings for different color candles.
ReplyDeleteThe candles are really huge. There are really many devotees of the said patron.
ReplyDeleteOh I love fiestas. But since I have worked far from our home town I haven't attend one.
ReplyDeleteI like fiestas. Here in Baguio, walang fiesta, that was why I love going to other towns' fiestas
ReplyDeletemay meanings pala mga candles :)
ReplyDelete