The practice of mañanita is an almost-forgotten Filipino tradition. Mañanita is a Spanish word that comes from the root word, mañana, meaning tomorrow. It is usually done on the eve of one’s birthday by serenading the celebrant with songs and, often times, accompanied by candles and cakes. It is commonly attended only by the immediate family and closest friends of the person.
The Kapampangans made this practice evolve into a religious expression of piety. Wherever the Crusade of Charity and Penitence of the Virgen de los Remedios and Santo Cristo del Perdon y Caridad is, mañanita is a common sight. It is usually attended by many people from all walks of life. They sing and even dance in front of the Virgin, offering flowers and silently whispering their prayers and thanksgiving to the Mother and Son.
This year, unable to gather physically because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have turned to technology, social media in particular, to creatively express their faith in various ways.
On September 8, 2020, the Archdiocese of San Fernando will celebrate the 64th Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgen de los Remedios, this time, without the physical gathering of the faithful. The re-enactment of the canonical coronation will be held at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary. While the venue for the said coronation will be closed to the public, the church have turned to live streaming to bring the Mass to the faithful who cannot attend physically.
To express their love and devotion to Mary even in this trying time, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission has organized an online prayer concert in honor of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The online mañanita will be held on September 7, 2020 at 8:00 in the evening. It will be a series of five reflections, prayers and songs inspired by selected titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those who will give their reflections are:
Most Rev. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, DD, SThD Most Rev. Teodoro Bacani, DD, SThD
Rev. Msgr. Sabino Vengco, Jr, SThD
Rev. Msgr. Ricardo Jesus Serrano, SLD
Rev. Fr. Agerico “Jerry” Orbos, SVD
The prayers will be led by:
Most. Rev. Paciano B. Aniceto, DD, Archbishop Emeritus of San Fernando
Most. Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, DD Archbishop of San Fernando
The songs will be performed by:
Coro dela Espina
Dominus Resurrectionis Chorale and Koro de San Antonio de Padua Musicam Sacram Singers & Ensemble
Macabebe Parish Choir
City of Voices Chamber Singers & MusicaLipa
Tinig Barangka
Mirabilia Dei
With the special performances of:
Ms. Jamie Rivera
The Philippine Madrigal Singers, Mark Anthony A. Carpio, choirmaster
One of the highlights of this online event is the virtual singing of the Himno Official of the Virgen de los Remedios by different people in and out of the province and the country. It is a new and creative way of expressing the Kapampangan’s love and devotion to their patroness, the Virgen de los Remedios despite the present predicaments the world is facing.
This online Mañanita also aims to honor the recently deceased clergy of the Archdiocese. Only this year, eight priests who have served the Archdiocese have died, including Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz who was its local ordinary from 1978-1988. The youngest to have died is 41 year-old Fr. Herwyn Bulaun who was ordained in 2018. He died due to complications of a heart ailment. The others were: Fr. Jesus Mariano, Msgr. Eugenio Mercado, Jr., Fr. Leobardo Montoya, Fr. Lorenzo Sarmiento, Msgr. Francisco Lansang and Msgr. Rustico Cuevas.
