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Maytinis Pageant is without doubt one of the well-known festivals in Cavite that’s historically celebrated each Christmas Eve. It highlights a conventional Christmas church custom known as “Panunuluyan” which incorporates a dramatic retelling of the Virgin Mary and Joseph’s search in Bethlehem for a spot to remain. Whereas Panunuluyan is commonly carried out in lots of Catholic church buildings, Maytinis Pageant in Kawitis accomplished in a really distinctive approach.

One of many main highlights of the Pageant is the grand float parade. In contrast to conventional floats, these aren’t simply ornate automobiles. Every float options locals portraying numerous characters from completely different Biblical occasions from each Outdated and New Testaments. These embody well-known occasions like Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the Visitation, the Annunciation, to call a number of. This, after all, consists of the Panunuluyan scene.

After its two-year hiatus as a result of world pandemic, Maytinis Pageant was celebrated final 12 months however solely with 6 floats. (Test: Maytinis Pageant 2022)  This 12 months, the variety of the collaborating floats had been doubled. Maytinis Pageant is yearly organized by the Cofradia De Sagrada Familia.  Yearly, the group will select an Ama and Ina (Hermano Mayor and Hermana Mayora) to behave as principal sponsors of the pageant. Every float might be ready and represented by completely different barangays in Kawit, Cavite.

Historical past-wise, little is thought the place and when precisely the pageant began however it has been centuries-old custom by the Kawiteños which has been round even earlier than the primary Philippine Authorities was established. Even Emilio Aguinaldo (the primary president) himself was not sure of its origin however file states that he grew up celebrating this century-old Kawiteño custom.  The time period Maytinis got here from a Spanish phrase “Maitines” or Matins (Latin) which is a conventional Catholic liturgy historically sung throughout daybreak or darkness of early morning.

As a substitute of placing processional photographs on prime of fantastically and intricately adorned floats, actual individuals will re-enact every Biblical scene together with the panunuluyan, reworking this straightforward ritual right into a spectacle. The floats will grace the busy streets of Kawit (and Noveleta) till they’ve reached the Saint Mary Magdalene Parish. They may even be accompanied by numerous bands.

Because the parade goes, the Panunuluyan float will cease by completely different homes the place Mary and Joseph will work together with “maybahay” or “home proprietor” to beg for a spot to remain. This dramatization can also be accompanied by an previous piece of music based mostly on Estaban Basa’s Hymn uniquely organized by the Magdalo Band (the oldest marching band in Kawit). The Panunuluyan will then conclude in Kawit Church the place the nativity scene will happen.

Listed below are the collaborating floats within the not too long ago concluded Maytinis Pageant, in addition to the winners of the Finest Float competitors.

Pitong Arkanghel (7 Archangels) by Dr. Rommel Toledo

Si Eba at Adan (Adam and Eve) by Barangay Magdalo – Potol

La Purisima Concepcion by Barangay Tabon 2

Si Cain at Abel ( Cain and Abel ) by Atty. Ramon Esguerra

Si Noeh at ang Baha (Noah and the Flood) by Barangay Toclong

Moises by Barangay Tramo Bantayan

Haring David (King David) by Barangay Poblacion

Samson at Delilah (Samson and Delilah) by Barangay Marulas

Infanta Judith by Barangay Panamitan

Reyna Ester (Queen Esther) by Barangay Gahak

Ang Pangako ng Diyos kay Zacarias (God’s Promise to Zacharias) by Barangay Batong-Dalig

Pagbati (The Annunciation) by Barangay Wakas

Pagdalaw (Visitation) by Brgy Sta. Isabel

Panunuluyan by Cofradia de Sagrada Familia

The parade concludes with the “Pagbabalita ng Angel” (The Annunciation to the Shepherds) by Barangay Kaingen.

Listed below are the next winners from the not too long ago concluded Gabi ng Parangal of Maytinis 2023