Caretakers and artisans of religious images are once again busy with the upcoming processions marking the observance of the Holy Week. But with the preparations comes a reminder: follow guidelines.
“The Catholic Church has guidelines to follow in the vesting of these religious images where applicable, and we continuously encourage the ‘camareros’ to pay attention to detail such as the color of garments where applicable,” Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, head of the Committee on Church Cultural Heritage of the Diocese of Dumaguete, said in an interview yesterday.
“Camareros,” a Spanish word for “waiter,” is used in the Philippine context to refer to persons involved in the preparation, maintenance and protection of religious images used in processions.
Heruela said the garments of saints vary depending on the religious occasion, especially during the Holy Week.
For instance, during the Procession of the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday, the head or face and vestments of Mater Dolorosa, a term coined for the sorrowful Blessed Virgin Mary, should be different from the ones that will be used during the Resurrection procession or “Sugat.”
The Mater Dolorosa, during the Passion procession, should be garbed in a black gown and veil and should have a mournful expression, Heruela said, while during the “Sugat” procession, she should wear white and have a joyful expression.
Enlightening
For Ralph Anthony Cordova Insertado, 39 years old, being a “camarero” is both “enlightening and inspiring.”
“It’s an enlightening and inspiring task to be doing this, not only because of service to the Church, but it also provides spiritual nourishment and catechism for those who believe in the intercession of saints,” said Insertado, who has been serving at the Dumaguete Cathedral Parish and assisting in the dressing up of religious images for a decade.
Insertado said he was 19 when he first participated in his family’s tradition of maintaining, preserving and clothing a St. Peter’s image was handed down to them by their ancestors.
He started collecting small images back then, but became a full-time “camarero” in 2015 when he was invited by a priest at the cathedral to help out with the vestments of the statues.
Now, Insertado maintains a collection of images, including life-size and imported ones from Spain. He said he keeps them at home but takes them out during fiestas and other religious celebrations.
‘Recamadero’
Marc Clifford Calumpang is not a “camarero” but describes himself as a “recamadero,” one who designs and sews garments for religious images.
Calumpang said he started providing vestments for images at the Dumaguete Cathedral during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to be careful in choosing the appropriate garments for a particular occasion. For instance, during the Holy Week processions, there are specific requirements for these images, and you cannot just dress them up in flamboyant colors,” Calumpang said.
Calumpang said he sources textiles, lace and other embellishments online or from stores outside the province.
NHCP forum
Just recently, a forum was conducted by the National Heritage Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in Bacong, Negros Oriental to teach participants, which included Calumpang, the proper upkeep and vesting of religious images.
Rommel Aquino of the NHCP’s Materials Research and Conservation Division, who provided the lectures during that forum, highlighted the role of “camareros” as catechists and educators on Christ’s redemptive and saving grace.
“Our religious heritage is very significant and important because it represents aspects of our past, and the inculturation of practices and how they were adapted into the Philippine culture,” he said.
Aquino emphasized the preservation of the simple and quiet dignity of religious celebrations and tangible and intangible religious heritage related to the Lenten season and the Holy week observance.
On the preservation of the images, Aquino said a persistent problem with organic materials is pest infestation that contributes to the deterioration of wood and other components of the statue.
Because of this, Heruela said proper handling, storage, maintenance, and preservation of sacred images must be given priority.
“Unfortunately, while these are handed down to the next generations, some of the traditional practices are lost and emerging ones that do not conform to church standards are being adopted,” he lamented.
Even the “carrozas” (carriages) that carry the images during processions are left to rot, exposed to wind and rain and other elements because the owners or caretakers do not see and understand their historical value, he added. (PNA)