SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Elite families in the municipality of Sibalom,  Antique, own eight images of century-old saints, attracting tourists this Holy Week.

They serve as the legacy of faith of “principalias” or the elite members of a society affiliated with the Philippine Independent Church (PIC).

One of the century-old statutes is Virgin Mary, originally owned by the great-grandmother of Sibalom Municipal Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs member, engineer Jonathan de Gracia, by the name of Capitana Magdalena Veñegas who was the daughter of the then Antique gobernadorcillo Tomas Veñegas.

The saint, currently under the care of the Lotilla-Galera-Vego family, is made of ivory.

“The Virgin Mary has an ivory head, feet, and arms,” De Gracia said.

The caretaker was provided a one-hectare farm lot. Proceeds from the agricultural produce are intended for the care, provision of new garments, and other expenses incurred during the Holy Week procession.

Another century-old icon is Saint Maria Salome, made of wood and originally owned by Don Teodoro Marzoňa, but is now under the care of the Gesulgon family.

“The wooden head, feet, and arms of the saint are well-preserved by the family,” he said.

During World War II, the caretaker tied the wooden parts of the image when they evacuated because of the belief that the saint would protect them from the Japanese soldiers rounding up Sibalom. 

“Back then, only the elite families were able to acquire religious images because they were very expensive,” De Gracia said. 

De Gracia said owners acquired them from Spaniards joining the Galleon trade.

Meanwhile, the century-old Nazarene image being cared for by Raymund Cervantes will be joining the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday processions.

Cervantes said that because of his devotion, his great-grandfather, the late Nemesio Lotilla, acquired the statue from a local sculptor. Lotilla was among the landed and rich businessman in Sibalom during his time.

"Every year, we make it a point to come home to Sibalom to prepare the Nazarene,” Cervantes said in a separate interview.

Cervantes said they believe that the saint has brought them blessings in life.

He said the family members take turns providing new garments, fresh flowers for the carriage decoration, and food preparation for their relatives and friends who join them during the procession.

“We believe that the Nazarene makes our challenges in life lighter. That is why we really take time to come home to Sibalom,” he added.

He also said they are keeping the faith of their great-grandfather alive because of Nazarene, serving as their constant reminder and the legacy that they cherish.  (PNA)