Kawiteños bring back ‘karakol’ procession after 2-year pandemic

Kawiteños seemed like they really missed showing off their dance ritual as the traditional karakol procession to honor their town’s patroness, St. Mary Magdalene, was held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devotees, mostly wearing yellow and red shirts to represent the patron saint’s iconic dress colors, began to pour on Thursday morning into St. Mary Magdalene Church in Brgy. Poblacion to attend the vesperas fiesta mass.

The raindrops did not hinder their devotion, nor did the emotions that arose after the original image of St. Mary Magdalene started to slowly peek through the parish church’s main door.

“Viva Magdalena!” chants roared on the church patio, as people danced the karakol and waved their hands to their patron saint to the tune of the opening salvo — “Awit Para kay Sta. Maria Magdalena.”

Fiesta mascots and marching bands led the karakol procession through Kawit town proper, which took nearly 16 hours.

During the karakol, devotees performed their usual dance steps to the rhythm of folk and modern music, demonstrating their deep devotion to their “Paraluman ng Bayan.”

Photos courtesy of Parroquia de Santa Maria Magdalena

Throughout the town fiesta, the church council will select their Hermano and Hermana, who will serve as the primary sponsors for the entire celebration.

Masses will be also held on its feast day, and the month-long Catholic celebration will conclude on July 31 with a procession of the image of St. Mary Magdalene.

Prior to the karakol, a fluvial parade for St. Mary Magdalene was held on July 15 in Kawit’s coastal area, which happened again after nearly 30 years.

Every year from July 21 to 22, Kawiteños observe the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene.