The Dancing Virgin Of Turumba

The Dancing Virgin Of Turumba

          She is often referred to as the dancing virgin.  Or the dancing image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  When her revered image is taken out of Pakil Church on special occasions, people begin dancing in the streets.  They swing and sway to the rhythmic beat of "Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen. "

           Our Lady of Turumba is enshrined at the San Pedro de Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna which is more popularly known as Pakil Church. The image's complete name is Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba or Our Lady of Sorrows.  Many believe in her powers and several miracles have been attributed to her. Pakil is a neighboring town of Paete and Pangil in Laguna.

            The story goes that one day in the 18th century, local fishermen retrieved a floating image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  As they were trying to carry the icon, they could not do so as it was too heavy.  This prompted them to ask help from the residents.  

            While they succeeded in lifting it, the weight forced them to swing and sway on either side as they moved to the town proper.  Others joined them and were simulating their movements.  They were now dancing and enjoying what they were doing. That later on became the Turumba dance of Pakil.

             Because the Virgin of Turumba is also the Virgin of Sorrows, it is paraded several days before the Holy Week.  During the town's feast day, which is May 12, many devotees flock to Pakil to join the Turumba dance and ask for her blessings.  On ordinary days, others simply pray inside the old Church in Pakil and request for a particular intention.

             Pakil can be reached via the Tanay-Pillila-Mabitac highway near the Rizal-Laguna boundary.  Travel time is about 1 1/2 hours from Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig. Another way is through the SLEX-Calamba-Sta Cruz route. Pakil Church is open everyday of the week.  And it is a guarantee that time spent for the trip is not a wasted time.

Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen

Matuwa tayo't mag aliw

Turumba'y ating sayawin

Puri sa Mahal na Birhen, sa Birhen

                                                                                                              - Konted

A stunning view of Laguna de Bay on the way to Pakil, Laguna.

There are several stalls selling fresh buko along the national road.

An old, huge Balete tree near the Rizal-:Laguna boundary

Scenic views on the way to Pakil Church

Pakil Church with the Sierra Madre Mountain range in background

Plaza in front of Pakil Church 

Rectory adjacent to the church

Stoup near the main entrance of church

Church's interior

The Crucified Christ

Main altar

Lighted image of Our Lady of Turumba

Right side altar

Painted ceiling of Pakil Church

Church's balcony

Church courtyard

Rosaries, small crosses, etc.at the parish rectory

Statues of Our Lady of Turumba for sale

Blessed oil

The Ten Commandments

About Pakil Church

Pakil Church on an ordinary day

Our Lady of Turumba is paraded around the town on special occasions (G' file)

Municipal Hall of Pakil which is near the church

Merienda at Razon's along Marcos Highway in Cainta, Rizal

Halo-halo for P95.00.  Super sarap!