Holy Week Philippines 2017

-
Mel Fonollera, blogger

Today, I'm going on a long vacation and take a break from work.  The reason why? - Holy Week in the Philippines.  It starts on Palm Sunday last April 9. It reminds us of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem with crowds cheering and waving palm fronds.  However, days afterward, the events would turn bloody and messy because of his execution by nailing on the cross instigated by the same crowd that cheered him earlier, quite ironic. Every Catholic Filipino will be reflecting on these events that happened two thousand years ago. As part of my break, I'll be writing some blogs about this most observed and revered week.

Spanish priests, centuries ago, introduced the observance of the holy week.  The Catholic church in the Philippines, which has strong ties with the Vatican, leads the flock in observing the holy week yearly.

Painting by Fernando Amorsolo

Activities during this week are centered around the community Catholic church and related rituals. Families meanwhile would visit churches locally or much further outside of their community praying in front of murals of the way of the cross. This is known as "Visitas Iglesias."   They also pray the way of the cross or "Via Crucis" community prayers and procession in most Filipino communities.  In the evenings, starting Maundy Thursday, life-size images of saints, Mary, and Jesus, owned by parishioners of the local Catholic church are paraded in processions. The whole community lines up to witness the procession or join the procession.



Back in the day, the holy week was pretty much solemn. Television and radio programs go off-air beginning Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday. Everyone is forced into a contemplative mood because of the lack of better things to do. But for kids, this part of the year is a bummer. To make them behave, old folks, tell stories of superstitions such as if one takes a bath on Good Friday one will get sick. 

Noons and late evenings are pretty much listless and the mood is serious. I swear every year on Friday from noon until 3 o'clock p.m., I noticed that it is so dead silent and somber.  I always have this surreal feeling that the Crucifixion seems to be happening all over again at that same time every year.

Today, however, there are a lot of distractions making it difficult to focus on what Holy Week is all about. Although TV stations and radio stations won't be broadcasting that much, cable TV will be available 24/7. Live online-streaming movies offer a wide choice of old and current movies. Social media won't be taking a break during the holy week unless it's the "Second Coming".  For those with moolah to spare, they will hie away to some beach resorts far away from the busy metropolis.  

Anyway, this year 2017, the holy week starts with the celebration of Palm Sunday last April 9 and ends on Easter Sunday, April 16.  It's an opportunity to enjoy the long respite and ponder on what this week is all about.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Seventies - The "Disco" Era

-
Image
The seventies was undoubtedly the "disco" era.  As a teenager, I listened and danced to the distinct sound of that era. When "Saturday Night Fever" hit the movie theaters in 1978,  I became an avid fan of the Bee Gees and other bands that played the disco sound.   Besides listening to disco sound, I also mimicked dance steps like the "swing" and "L.A. shuffle" from a local popular TV show the "Penthouse Seven." I strutted my stuff every time  I danced with a partner at birthday parties held in friends' residences. Bands that dished out disco tunes during the '70s were  ABBA  with their  song "Dancing Queen";   Donna Summer 's   goosebumps-raising song "Last Dance."  Other bands like  KC and the Sunshine Band ,  The Trammps ,  Van McCoy ,  Gloria Gaynor ,  The Village People ,  Chic , and  The Jacksons   also flooded the radio airwaves in the '70s .   I even followed their progress over...
Read more

Grandfather@50

-
Image
I will be turning 50 before the  end of this year, and what better way to usher in my golden boy status is becoming a bonafide grandfather.  I now have a grandson, his name is Samien. He was born on April 25, 2012. His parents say that the name means "to be heard".  I guess their choice was right because when Samien cries, he is really heard by everybody. I noticed remarkable things in Samien.  While just a new born, he showed to us that he has strong legs and arms.  He can push himself upwards in the crib and was tireless in raising his small arms every  now and then.  Also, he is not the quiet type because he always cries and laughs unlike other babies inside the nursery who are peacefully asleep.  At three months old, he speaks amusing although unintelligible syllables.  Also, at three months, he is rather long for babies his age and quite heavy for a three month old baby.  He weighed in at 5 kilogram during his visit to his pedia...
Read more

Organic Rice in the Philippines For Healthy Living

-
Image
Do you prefer healthy living? Go organic rice! Health buffs would like to get their hands on real organic rice. If you're one of them, do you know which ones are authentic organic rice? This blog will tell you all you need to know about organic rice. Some people think that organic rice is red and brown rice variety only.  Not really. It comes in other varieties and colors such as white, black, etc.  The idea that red and brown alone are organic rice is wrong.  These rice varieties are now sold under specific brands in leading supermarkets in the Philippines, however, not all of them are organic rice. But how will you know if you're buying organic rice or not? Organic rice is farmed without using synthetic fertilizer and chemical pesticide inputs. Besides the inputs, there are other things to consider such as -  How was it planted? What were the farming methods used? Was there contamination along the supply chain until it has reached the end consumer? There...
Read more