Palapak of Patron Saint, an Ilonggo devotional practice

After the Fiesta Mass the image of the patron saint is held over the heads of devotees. In Ilonggo this is called “Palapak” which means to step on something. This is the way they believe blessing is received. It seems to be practiced only in the Ilonggo region or Western Visayas. I am not aware of a similar practice in other regions. In the Cebu region the devotees touch or kiss the image of the town’s patron saint. Notice how they flock to the decorated image after the Mass.

Can this practice find some reference in the Bible where healing occurred, either directly or indirectly? Indirectly, Yes!

In the previous Shalom, Peter’s inner beauty shining through his words and gestures was used by the Holy Spirit to effect the healing of a crippled beggar as narrated in Acts 3:4-6.

In Acts 5:14 it is Peter’s beautiful SHADOW that healed many: “… Many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hand of the apostles so that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping mats in the hope that AT LEAST THE SHADOW OF PETER MIGHT FALL ACROSS SOME OF THEM AS HE WENT PAST… AND ALL OF THEM WERE CURED.”

The words, “…the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them…” = “gilapakan sila sang langdun ni Pedro”, “Peter’s shadow stepped in them”. This is an indirect reference to the power of Peter’s inner beauty shining through his outer appearance.. The sick surely have seen and were captivated even by a shadow “as he went past.”

This indirect reference to Acts 5:14 is my personal reflection. I don’t have a direct evidence from history. I cannot show proof that the Spanish Agustinian missionaries who brought the Faith to the Ilonggo region had started the practice based on Acts 5:14. Maybe our early diocesan pastor had done it. Well, a good historical research may still be possible as one way to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christianization in 2021.

My reflection is personal and it does make sense if we read the Acts of the Apostles on the activities of the Holy Spirit in revealing the power of the Risen Lord’s beauty or glory.