Panagcorona Ritual

Panagcorona Ritual

There is a practice among Pangasinenses that seems to have vanished, although it now survives in a different form: that of a modern birthday party. It is called the panagcorona or panagkorona (crowning) ritual for children reaching their seventh cumpleaños or birthday. The occasion is noticeably made more special than a regular birthday celebration, giving the sense that there is something important about reaching the age of seven.

In Bayambang, the vestiges of this practice can be gleaned from how local families today spend a child's seven birthday in a way that is more lavish than usual, and this is apparently rooted in the age-old tradition.

The practice appears to have been observed since precolonial times, and it was meant to mark the child’s coming of age.  According to an online source, "Garbed in festive attire, the seven-year-old child is made to stand in the middle of the hall on a platform. Participants in this ceremony are the youthful celebrant, the parents, the godparents, and the invited guests. In the ceremony, the panagcorona song is sung, accompanied by clapping and hugging."

According to Dr. Perla Samson-Nelmida in her 1982 thesis, "Pangasinan Folk Literature" (University of the Philippines-Diliman), the 'Panagkorona' song is a "long ceremonial song."

She notes that, "The number 7 is not only a favorite number in Pangasinan folk literature, but it is also a significant one for varied reasons. Seven (7) is the age of reason when the child is supposed to have attained the full use of his mental faculties and he bids goodbye to innocence. He is now ready to start formal schooling, and is now also capable of committing a sin under the traditional Christian concept."

"The singers address first the lucky parents, wishing then 'unending joy' (liket ya ag naebas) on the feast day of their beloved child is ‘Kaaliling na / Sinmolming ya rosas / Ya andi suyat / Tampol binmoskag (Likened to a / Freshly-bloomed flower / That has suddenly and / Immediately opened forth.)"

"Since every birthday is also supposed to be the feast day of one's namesake among the saints, the singers now call on God to 'grant a long life' to the celebrant, and to 'gladden the hearts of all those present.'"

 "Given special mention in the wish for a prosperous year are the godfather and the godmother. All relatives and friends are called upon next to 'sing with all sincerity the praise and exaltation of the person in whose honor the group was gathered.' Now follows the crowning ceremony itself, and the child is asked to "come and stand for on your head we shall now place the crown" and to Ipeket moy pusom / Ed Diyos ya amalsa / Ta ampayaen to ka komod / Angga lad angga. (Join your heart / With God the Creator / That He may guide you /

Now and forevermore.)"

"The 'Panagkorona' or 'Crowning Song"' is not an ordinary, informal song during a get-together. It is usually sung by veteran folk-singers who also sing in church, and so its melody sounds more like slow and sober church music rather than a simple song of exultation. The audience, however, sometimes take part in the singing of the refrain: Biba! Bibay / Polanon mapalar! / Biba met so ateng / To ran malagak! / Magnayon so liket / Ya ag naebas / Ed panfiestay / Inaro yon anak. (Long live! Long live! / Fortunate one! / Long live his parents / So loving and protective / May your joys continue / Without an end / On this feast day / Of your beloved child.)"

The panagcorona, it must be noted, is equivalent to an indigenous Ilocano ritual called padapadakam and the Marinduque ritual called putungan, in that an act of crowning is the highlight of the ritual.

References: yodisphere[dot]com/2022/09/Pangasinan-Pangasinense-Culture-Traditions[dot]html; Dr. Perla Samson-Nelmida, 1982 thesis, "Pangasinan Folk Literature" (University of the Philippines-Diliman), pp. 388-391