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| THE TWO SACRED IMAGES OF SALUYSOY, MEYCAUAYAN |
In the ancient barrio of Saluysoy, in Meycauayan,
Bulacan, there kept in the visita of the barangay, two old images revered since
one can remember: the image of Santo Cristo (Crucified Christ) and San Pedro
(Saint Peter).
Saluysoy, located adjacent to the heart of the town,
takes its name from a slow-flowing gurgling brook which cut northwards at the
eastern side of the original location of the barrio. “Saluysoy” means the sound
of a brook’s steady water flow. But when
the water dried out, residents relocated to the west of the barrio where a faster-flowing river was found. People dug
up wells to ensure that they do not run of water anymore in their new place,
which retained the name “Saluysoy”. The former abandoned site was named
“Palanas”.
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| VISITA OF SALUYSOY |
The barrio played a small, but significant part in the
second world war. In 1941, when the Japanese Army broke through the USAFFE
lines en route to conquering Manila, the barrio folks put on a gallant
resistance that delayed the march of the invaders to the capital city by 11
days.
In the 1950s, it was said that indolence was unknown to
the hard-working people of Saluysoy. Though small in size, the barangay thrived
on many industries—shoemaking, wood carving, blacksmithing, goldsmithing,
farming, fishing, and making of religious images.
It would seem that the two processional images were carved locally for
the chapel, as the people were also known for being devout and religious. The
chapel itself was rebuilt after the war, and at one time was considered to be
the most beautiful in the whole province of Bulacan. It was fully funded
through the efforts of “Samahang San Pedro”, a leading religious organization.
Today, Saluysoy is one of the more prosperous barangays
of the city of Meycauayan, its prosperity driven by its jewelcraft and
goldsmithing industries. Every year, the images of the barrio patrons—Santo
Cristo and San Pedro—are brought out for processions during the May 4 barangay
fiesta. San Pedro’s feast day is also observed separately by Saluysoy folks
every June 29.
CREDITS:
Many thanks to Mr. Robby de la Vega for the photos and for the background on brgy. Saluysoy from the Historical Data Papers of Meycauayan
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