Filipino Holy Week Traditions
While this Easter might be more special due to the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, it’s good to remember decades’ worth of Catholic traditions to commemorate the religiosity of the Philippines. During the Holy Week, there are seven days that stand between you and Easter Day, which for many means celebrating the end of all the Lenten sacrifices that they committed to with varying amounts of success. This most sacred tradition unites Catholic Filipinos all over, Manileno or Davaoeno. But that doesn’t mean that they have to celebrate Holy Week in the exact same way. Here, we share some of the rituals and habits--practicised willingly or not--that the different Filipino peoples do to celebrate the salvation of the world.
Palaspas Sunday
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was greeted with a flurry of palm leaves. Nowadays, we can feel like Jesus himself (blasphemy not intended) entering Metro Manila, as vehicles wheeling intochurch vicinities are swarmed by vendors of palm leaves. Crafted by their own hands, palaspas as vernacular calls it, cost between 10-30 Pesos depending on the intricacy of their designs. During the Final Blessing of Palm Sunday’s mass, the priest calls forth all lost sheep of Christ so that their palaspas can be blessed. The palaspas thereafter are hung outside doors and windows of Catholics to welcome Jesus into their homes.
Holy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
The Moriones Festival in Marinduque is held in commemoration of the story of Longinus. Longinus is said to be a Roman soldier who was blind in one eye. When Jesus was pierced on his side, the blood that spattered landed on Longinus and he regained sight. He was then converted to Christianity. The people of Marinduque wear colorful masks of Roman soldiers and festively celebrate the miracles of the death of Christ. This culminates on Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday
The Washing of the Feet
The Washing of the Feet
On the eve of Jesus’ Last Supper, he washed the apostles’ feet – yes, including the dirt between the toes of Judas. As a symbolism for cleansing, the priests invite the faithful sinners to have their feet dipped into holy water as they humbly kneel for the act. This tradition is observed by big shot Manilenos to small town Illongos until far south Davaoenos looking to share in their attempt to be worthy of living out the commandment, “Love your neighbor as I have loved you.” It is a reminder of the meekness that allows one to inherit the earth.
Bisita Iglesia
Metro Manila traffic builds up on this day as many head out to provinces for their hometown rituals or, you know, the beach. Another cause for traffic, however, is the procession of young ‘uns walking from one church to another to, supposedly, say their prayers. Parked cars line the sidewalks outside churches to accommodate visitors who follow the tradition of going to seven churches to perform the Stations of the Cross. If you go to a church you’ve never been to, you can make a wish as well!
No Television or Radio
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Passion of Christ on TV. Turn on the radio and hear programs of “The Seven Last Words.” Learn the lines of Moses as he receives the Ten Commandments from a talking burning bush. Yup, cable TV and your iPod are your salvation for entertainment beginning this day.
Good Friday, Friday, Friday
This day isn’t particularly fun, fun, fun, fun. Davaoenos firmly follow a rule of silence on this day. No Justin Bieber songs can be played on the radio. (If only that could happen everyday.) Many provinces like Rizal and some churches in Manila participate in a rosary procession behind an image of the mourning Holy Mother of Jesus while Pampangenos and Batangenos do Pasyon, or a re-enactment of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ recited as an epic poem. This is also the last day of the series of Pabasa, or the reading of verses from the Bible. There is an exchange of dialogue between groups of readers and this could go on for hours. Food and drinks are stationed nearby to sustain the devotees.
Easter Sunday
Salubong is an early morning vigil for the meeting of the Holy Mother and the Risen Jesus. Dressed in black, the image of the Holy Mother is surrounded by many praying and singing of glory for the resurrection. Throughout the day, families gather at buffets to end their season of Lent with a feast. No more fasting or abstinence, the kids get an extra treat of going on an Easter egg hunt taken from the Western tradition.
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