The Lenten Season is one of the
most celebrated holidays in the Philippines aside from Christmas. The Lenten
Season starts from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday. This runs for more than a
month. Psalm Sunday is usually the start of a week-long activities
commemorating and solemnizing the sacrifice of Jesus. For most Filipinos, Holy
week is vacation time, given a long weekend that starts from Maundy Thursday
until Easter Sunday.
Unlike most Filipinos who would
go to the beach and nearby provinces, I choose to stay at home. Instead of
going to different provinces hat showcases the life of Jesus, I prefer to
celebrate it in our town of Cainta. Ever since I was a child, Holy Week is
always celebrated with enthusiasm and glamour in our town. From the Senakulo, to
the Pabasa, procession of different statues of saint until Easter Morning,
there are activities that keep every town’s people busy.
One of the activities of the Lenten Season is
the Senakulo, a stage play of the life of Christ. The story usually starts from
the Creation – Adam & Eve, and then it would jump to the New Testament, the
apparition of the angel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the birth of Christ until
his death and resurrection and the story will finish from his ascension to
heaven. The Senakulo will start on the night of Psalm or Holy Monday and will
run every night until Easter Sunday.
Another activity during this
season is the Pabasa. A chorale reads a book known as the Pasyon through
singing. The reading of the Pasyon is held inside a house, wherein the chorale
will start reading the book in the early morning and will only stop when the
book is finished. The reading usually lasts the whole day. Neighbours also went
to the house of the Pasyon to substitute the other readers and also help
prepare foods for the chorale and visitors.
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| church goers on a Good Friday |
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| girl praying on covered faces of statues |
Good Friday is the busiest day of
the Holy Week. This is the day wherein lots of activities are done in our
Church. In the morning there is the usual Station of the Cross for the church
goers, The “Paghahatol” or “Jesus Judgment” for those people who loves to watch
the Senakulo and there is also a confession inside the church. In the afternoon
there is the cleaning of the feet, the Procession of the Saints and the Kissing
of the “Amba”.
the start of the procession
people joining the procession
The Pieta - one of the popular statues in the procession
people putting candles on the side of the church
people waiting for the Amba
a glimpse of the Amba
So much activities to do and join
in our small town of Cainta during this season, I see no reason for me to leave
town. Besides, Holy Week is the season for us to pray, reflects, and celebrates
the passion of Christ. Let us not forget its true meaning amidst our joyful
vacation.
