By Rex Catubig

 

JUST like in earlier times when they first met Jesus, after His resurrection, the disciples went out to fish but had no luck. The resurrected Jesus who they had not recognized, called out to them from the shore to cast their net again. Miraculously, they were blessed with a bumper harvest. When they came ashore, they were greeted by the sight of Jesus grilling fish on burning coals. He asked them to bring some of their catch and invited them to have breakfast. (John 21:1-17)

This meeting with the apostles in the shore of Galilee, and the grilling by the risen Christ of fish which they shared for breakfast, provides the postlude scenario for the Easter Sunday Abet abet religious ritual that highlights the encounter between the resurrected Jesus and his beloved mother, Mama Mary.

While the common church ritual portrays mainly the meeting of Jesus and Mother Mary, this trailblazing reenactment dubbed as “Abet-abet ed Olin Inbilay” is given a twist within the religious context—by likewise depicting the encounter between Jesus and John, who is beloved to Him and to whom he entrusted the care of Mother Mary, surrounded by the other apostles and fisherfolks.

This breakthrough interpretation aims to recognize the precursive events that define and lend religious and cultural significance to the Bangus Festival celebration.

Thus, the Bangus Festival is elevated from a bouncy street dancing spectacle to the status of a joyful community thanksgiving that pays homage to the city’s vibrant bangus industry, even as it pays homage to the city’s patron saint.

During the first Abet abet  commemoration which he presided over,  Archbishop Socrates Villegas essayed a brilliant and eloquent deconstruction of the primal elements that define our life as Dagupeños and the blessings we derive from them.

He cited Water, from the rivers, the fishponds, and the sea that surround the city. Fire from burning coals that we grill fish with. Ichthus, or fish, Bangus, for that matter, that abound in our locality.

These triptych of elements that make up the backbone of life in the coastal city, are God-given and beneficent blessings from God to whom we owe everything and to whom we offer thanksgiving.

“Abet-abet ed Olin Inbilay”, the Easter Sunday service on the beachfront of Tondaligan spearheaded by Mayor Belen  Fernandez in consortium with the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan headed by Archbishop Villegas is a living testament of the reciprocity of the faith and culture among our people.

As part of the One Bonuan barangay triumvirate, this Sunday’s event is a joint celebration of the Annunciation of the Lord Parish headed by Fr. Emmanuel Ferrer; the St Gabriel the Archangel Parish led by Fr Mario Morales; and the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary with Fr, Onad Navato as Rector.

The barangay fishermen are also gathered by the three chieftains: Barangay Bonuan Gueset’s Kap Noel Bumanlag, Bonuan Boquig’s Kap Joseph Maramba, and Bonuan Binloc’s Kap Wilmer Castanares. Their presence serves to reaffirm their role as the bedrock of the city’s fishing industry. On the other hand, the youth in attendance delineate the affinity of St John to the youth.

Jesus, Mary, St John: form the triptych of LOVE, FAITH , AND BENEVOLENCE in Abet abet ed Olin Inbilay.

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