SAMBAT
Is another religious/cultural event Aloranon children and adults look forward to.
Held one Sunday in October, it's a fluvial procession that starts under the old bridge by Insek Sebio's place and goes all the way to Bara, a sitio in Lobogon where Aloran River and Iligan Bay meet.
Though celebrated only by IFI and RC, it has become cultural that it transcends religious line for many years.
The day before, church workers are busy decorating the boat (a large one with katig), with plants and bright-colored flowers.
The boat should be large enough for quite a load: the image of Virgin Mary, Padre, the sacristans, the cantoras, the musikeros, food and kitchen staff and the "pilots" that will navigate the boat through Aloran River, from the dock at Tulay Daan to Bara - a sitio in Lobogon, roughly a kilometer downstream.
The following day (Sunday), after the morning mass, a short procession is held to the starting point.
As one of the sacristans, I always get on-board. After a short prayer is said, the Fluvial Parade begins.
Through the whole length, with the prayers, cantoras singing solemn hymns accompanied by the musikeros, you can really feel the solemnity all the way.
At Bara, a huge crowd is waiting. Some have already been swimming for hours, those that couldn't wait, had already eaten their lunch.
The boat is then guided by able-bodied religious to shore. Everybody dis-embarks... and lunch is served.
Above photos were taken during one of these celebrations - 1980.
They are the Binalbals, and they gracefully dance to the beat of the musikeros. They are parishioners, usually women, wearing bright-colored dress and facial mask.
The uglier they look, the more children they scare, the better.
After a short rest, Procession back to the church begins.
Along the way, be mindful of the deafening booom! of the "Verso". Manong Eugenio Velasco was the master for the IFI, he does it every year right infront of his residence in what is now Palayan.
For the Roman Catholic, it was Jensen Subrado's mastery.
It was always a privilege to be in those fluvial parades.
There was one that something unexpected happened I'll never forget.
After sailing for just a couple of minutes, right under Tulay Bag-o, the boat sunk - an apparent overload.
Non-essential personnel, including sacristans, were made to walk the remainder (virtually the whole) of the voyage.
We were soaked when we got there. I was just glad, the boat got there, and everyone was safe.
Sad to say, SAMBAT is no longer celebrated.