Risen Christ Statue Falls During Dawn “Tagbo” in Ipil, Parishioners Left in Shock
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - A solemn Easter dawn tradition was briefly disrupted after the statue of the Risen Christ unexpectedly fell during the “Tagbo” or “Encuentro” at St. Joseph Cathedral, leaving parishioners shocked and momentarily silenced.
The incident took place during the early morning ritual, a highlight of the Easter celebration symbolizing the meeting of the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary. Witnesses said the ceremony was already underway when the statue suddenly toppled, drawing gasps from the crowd and halting the proceedings.
Amid the commotion, one of the participants portraying an “angel” was seen falling to the ground and was immediately assisted by nearby organizers and attendees. The situation prompted concern among the faithful, although it did not escalate into a serious emergency.
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Church personnel responded promptly, lifting the fallen statue and placing it back onto its wooden platform in an effort to continue the ceremony. For several minutes, the angels’ choir fell silent, and the crowd remained still, waiting in uncertainty as to what would follow.
The ritual eventually resumed, with the “Tagbo” continuing despite the disruption. Many in attendance, though visibly shaken, remained to complete the observance.
As of this writing, it remains unclear whether the statue sustained any damage from the fall.
The “Tagbo” is a deeply rooted Holy Week tradition in Ipil, drawing large numbers of devotees each year. While the unexpected fall of the statue of the Risen Christ briefly interrupted the ceremony, it also underscored the community’s composure and enduring faith in the face of an unsettling moment.
