WATCH: Pinoys welcome Easter Sunday with 'Salubong'

Filipino Catholics celebrated Easter Sunday with the traditional 'Salubong', a reenactment of the meeting of the Virgin Mary and the Risen Jesus Christ.

At Santisimo Rosario Parish inside the University of Sto. Tomas campus in Sampaloc, Manila, devotees showered the images of the Virgin Mary and the Risen Christ with flower petals, according to a post by Rhommel Balasbas of Super Radyo dzBB.

WATCH: Tradisyonal na "Salubong sa Santisimo Rosario Parish sa UST.

Ang Salubong ay 'reenactment' ng pagkikita ni Hesukristo na muling nabuhay at kanyang ina na si Maria | via @rvbalasbas pic.twitter.com/0RppPuwLjS

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 19, 2025

At St. Peter's Parish on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, devotees held candles as they watched the Salubong held at the church grounds, as seen in a video shared by Olan Bola of Super Radyo dzBB.

“SALUBONG”

Tradisyunal na “salubong” sa St. Peter's Parish sa Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City | via @olanbola pic.twitter.com/BhBCQRVA9U

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 19, 2025

Devotees at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City meanwhile waited expectantly and had their phone cameras on to catch the exact moment that the Virgin Mary's veil was lifted.

A child playing the role of an angel removes the black veil covering the face of the image of the Virgin Mary as the image of the Risen Christ is brought near, during the 'Salubong,' a reenactment of Jesus' resurrection, before dawn on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 at Santo Domingo Church, also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila in Quezon City, on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Danny Pata

At the Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon, children dressed as angels sang as one "angel" lifted the black veil from the face of the Virgin Mary as the image of the Risen Christ was brought near. This was followed by fireworks, as shared by GMA Integrated News stringer Peewee Bacuño.

Ginanap ang Easter Sunday Vigil at Salubong sa Linggo ng Muling Pagkabuhay sa Kamay ni Hesus Grotto, Lucban, Quezon na dinaluhan ng libo-libong tao.
(????: Audrey Javen Villa) @gmanewsbreaking @gmanews @dzbb pic.twitter.com/vKeCEcS9Mq

— peewee bacuño (@PeeweeBacuno) April 19, 2025

The Salubong, which is held at dawn on Easter Sunday, is practiced in most Catholic communities across the Philippines. The ritual recreates the imagined first meeting of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection.

As per tradition, it starts with two separate processions, where images of the Mater Dolorosa or the Virgin Mary and the Resurrected Christ are carried from opposite ends.

Eventually, the two processions will meet at a middle point, during which an angel — usually a child — will lift the black veil from the face of the image of Mary. At this precise moment, the Hallelujah Chorus is played, and celebration ensues.

According to Ronald Subida, an organizer of the Salubong in Poblacion, Makati in 2012, the Salubong is a perfect example of folk Christianity. “It’s not biblical at all,” he explained.

The practice however, was initiated by the Church, Subida said, adding that the Salubong is a manifestation of the value Filipinos place on family. —KG, GMA Integrated News