“PAGLALATAG” as a traditional start-off

By Reya Buenaventura

Traditions are called traditions for a reason.

Palm Sunday procession with a 50-year old tradition of “paglalatag” was done at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Church at Sta. Isabel, Malolos, Bulacan, earlier at 7am.

“Paglalatag” is a continual practice of the church. It is done mostly by women, who forms a line and lays either any towel or cloth to be walked down during the procession - composed of the parish priest, lay ministers and a number of altar servers.

Performing the tradition of "paglalatag" (1)

Performing the tradition of "paglalatag" (2)

Performing the tradition of "paglalatag" (3)

Performing the tradition of "paglalatag" (4)

“It is actually on a biblical basis, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people on their own will gathered branches and palm leaves. Along with that, they gathered pieces of their clothing, lay it on His path and now it became a tradition of the elders, passed to generation after another” Jowel Dela Cruz, assistant secretary of the parish church said in Filipino.

Along with the traditional “paglalatag”, different posts along the road are designated for young choir members, aged seven to 12 years old, in the form of angels, singing Hosana in every stop as per signified by the posts, while dusting little pieces of petals.

Choir members singing "Hosana" while scattering petals of flowers.

Choir members singing "Hosana" while scattering petals of flowers.

These petals are collected in return by the people, for such a belief existed.

“When those petals are scattered in their fields or crops, there will be a bountiful harvest in return, and that is a tradition even my father is practicing up to this time” Dela Cruz explained about the belief from the petals of flowers, in Filipino.

The procession started at the chapel of the said place and ended at the main parish church followed by a mass.