Catholic devotees in Paete, Laguna, mark Holy Wednesday with the traditional “Unang Salubong” (first encounter) on April 16, 2025.
Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa and Jesus of Nazareth are brought out in a solemn procession to reenact their symbolic encounter.
Known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” Paete is renowned for its Lenten processions featuring intricately carved wooden saints mounted on wheeled platforms.
These sacred images depict scenes from Christ’s life and passion, drawing pilgrims and visitors every year.
All photos by Jire Carreon

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.

Catholic devotees gather for the traditional “Unang Salubong” in Paete, Laguna, on Holy Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Life-sized images of Mater Dolorosa, “The Sorrowful Mother,” and Jesus of Nazareth are paraded to reenact their symbolic meeting. Paete, known as the “Town of the Moving Saints,” is famous for its Lenten procession, which features intricately carved wooden saints mounted on movable platforms. These sacred figures depict key scenes from Christ’s ministry and passion, drawing crowds of faithful and tourists alike.
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