Vesting of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel de San Sebastian prior to Dungaw

A GMA News team was allowed to witness the vestment of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel de San Sebastian prior to the traditional "Dungaw."

Dungaw is part of the Traslacion that depicts the Blessed Mother seeing her suffering son, the Black Nazarene, on his way to Calvary.

Although priests and nuns would pray over the image, only the nuns and some women are allowed to stay inside the camarin during the vesting.

The vesting is accompanied by prayers and hymns of Marian songs.

“While waiting for the Dungaw kasi, the people will have the opportunity to get close to the Virgin Mary. So ito ang time na makalapit ka talaga up close and personal. Makikita bo ang birhen,” said Fr Rommel Rubia, former parish priest of Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, in Mariz Umali's report on Balitanghali on Thursday.

Rubia described the clothing the image of the Virgin Mary wore as a "primera vestida."

“Primera vestida talaga. Ang primera vestida is a very precious na material at sinusuot 'to for big celebrations,” he said.

The image of the Virgin Mary changes garments three times every year — on January 9 and 29, and on July 16. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News