Every year, on the ninth sacred day of September my small but progressive town of San Mateo in the province of Rizal celebrates the feast of our patroness Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
According to history, the first image of the blessed Virgin Aranzazu was brought to the Philippines by this unknown Spanish Captain from the Basque region of Spain. Then the Dominicans of Letran in Intramuros were the first group of people who started spreading the devotion about the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu among the Filipinos, in the year 1732.
The first church of San Mateo was built along the river banks of Barangay Sta. Ana. But unfortunately, a historic flood destroyed it in 1660. A new church was built afterwards on its current location now in General Luna Street, Guitnang Bayan I, adjacent to the San Mateo Municipal Hall.
The first church of San Mateo was built along the river banks of Barangay Sta. Ana. But unfortunately, a historic flood destroyed it in 1660. A new church was built afterwards on its current location now in General Luna Street, Guitnang Bayan I, adjacent to the San Mateo Municipal Hall.
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| Image of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu |
Here are the list of events for today's feast, September 9, 2015:
- 7:30 AM - Holy mass at the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parish
- There will be a short program after the holy mass
- Start of the Kakanin Festival
- Recognition and awarding ceremonies for Best Float, Best in Street Dance, and Best Delegation
- 2:00 PM - Talk N' Txt Pabingo
- 6:00 PM - Thanks giving mass at the Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parish
- 7:30 PM onwards - Variety Show starring Andrew E. and The Beewings
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| Feast of Aranzazu and Kakanin Festival street parade |
The Kakanin Festival
Also, today marks the 17th Kakanin Festival of San Mateo, Rizal. It is a yearly celebration where the town folks gears up to parade their yummy Kakanins (Filipino rice cakes) in the streets. Free Kakanins were given out to the spectators and also as an offerings to the patroness Aranzazu. The said event was supervised by the Parish with the help of the mayor and the town council.
The feast started out during the Spanish times where in the town citizens were offering Kakanins as their sign of devotion and thanks giving to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. Because of these religious practices and beliefs, making Kakanins has become part of the lives of the Rizaleños.
On the day of the parade itself, men and women brings out different varieties of Kakanins like the famous bibingka, suman, cassava cake, sapin-sapin, puto and kutsinta which were tenderly made with love & care.
The feast started out during the Spanish times where in the town citizens were offering Kakanins as their sign of devotion and thanks giving to Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. Because of these religious practices and beliefs, making Kakanins has become part of the lives of the Rizaleños.
On the day of the parade itself, men and women brings out different varieties of Kakanins like the famous bibingka, suman, cassava cake, sapin-sapin, puto and kutsinta which were tenderly made with love & care.
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And in line with today's celebration of the Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu and the Kakanin Festival, the San Mateo council officially declares this day as a Non-working holiday for all the employees of offices and business establishments located in town. Same goes to all the students and faculties of both private and public schools. Regular classes will resume tomorrow. This is to give every towns people the chance to come and join the festivities throughout the entire day.
Here is a screenshot of the town ordinance which was first signed on the 16th of August 2004, posted today at the Municipality of San Mateo facebook page.
The ordinance was written in Tagalog but I will try my best to transcribe it in English for the benefits of our foreign visitors. Please bear with me. Here's what it says:
Office of the Town Council
Served by: Honorable Vice Mayor Ariel T. Diaz and his councilors namely: Bayani SA. Salvador, Arwin A. Mariano, Jaime Romel M. Roxas, Hermenegildo Z. Cequena, Amelia D. Santos MD, Cherribel M. Nakata, Jan-Vincent R. Robosa and Roberto San Pedro.
ORDINANCE NUMBER 2004-12
ORDINANCE:
Declaring September 9th of every year as the Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu
WHEREAS: Having this kind of celebration is one way of making the town of San Mateo to be well known to all men.
WHEREAS: One of the featured highlights of the celebration of the feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu is the Parade of Kakanins (Rice cakes) because our town is famous for making/cooking this sweet and delicious delicacy.
WHEREAS: This is one way of giving praise to our beloved patroness Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu ever since she arrived in our town some 300 years ago.
BECAUSE, of the proposal by the entire San Mateo Rizal Town Council and for the suggestion of Councilor Hermenegildo Z. Cequena secondarily supported by Councilor Cherribel M. Nakata.
APPOINTED, by the San Mateo Rizal Town Council to ratify the ordinance designating September 9 of every year as the day of the virgin Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
ALSO APPOINTED, to make September 9 as a Non-Working holiday for all the Municipal Hall employees and for the private and public schools as well in the entire town of San Mateo.
ALSO APPOINTED, to send copies of this ordinance to all the government employees of this town. Same goes to all the private and public schools to serve as their guide.
APPROVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL this 16th of August, 2004.
This is to affirm that what is stated on this ordinance is true and ratified by the Town Council on their common meeting observed this 16th of August, 2004.
Signed by Franklin M. Sta Maria, Secretary of the Town Council
Witnessed and signed by his honorable Vice Mayor Ariel T. Diaz
Source: Google
Photo(s) from:
This is not the list for tomorrow's event Sept 9, 2019 but was the schedule for 2015
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