Holy Week, Filipino-style

Summer may be the season for sun and sand, but for Filipinos it’s also the season of Holy Week. While many countries only bring their attention to the Easter celebration, many Pinoys get their feet wet early on and participate in a slew of solemn traditions that run from Holy Thursday all the way to Sunday. Whether you’re hitting the beach this Holy Week or staying in at the city, having an awareness of the more serious side of the season can help you find some sense of peace, quiet and contemplation in a normally festive atmosphere.

Holy Thursday
Also known as Maundy Thursday, this is the day when most Filipinos get into their cars and do the annual Visita Iglesia. In churches, a reenactment of the Last Supper takes place, after which, many folks make the rounds among the churches in and around their vicinity. Tradition has it that you visit seven churches on this day. Some people also make a yearly pilgrimage by walking all the way up to Antipolo.

Good Friday
This day marks the death of Jesus Christ, which is why churches stage the Stations of the Cross on this day. The stations mark the important milestones Christ walked through as he made his way to the cross. The solemn affair rises to a quiet and serious note once 3:00pm strikes—to honor the time of his death. It is also a day where most people abstain or fast and keep themselves in a state of quiet prayer.

Black Saturday
One of the big traditions that marks this day is the Easter Vigil. A mass that starts out in the evening can be made in preparation for the dawn ceremony or Salubong, which is a reenactment of Jesus, meeting his mother after the Resurrection. The Salubong starts out with two separate processions meeting at a single point in front of the church. The Easter Vigil is celebrated in candlelight to symbolize how the world was cloaked in darkness upon Jesus’ death. Once his resurrection is celebrated in the service, however, all lights are on and everyone takes on a celebratory mood.

Easter Sunday
Bunnies and egg hunts aside, Easter Sunday in the Philippines takes on an extremely happy mood. Aside from fiestas in the town proper, joyous singing in Easter masses and families dining out to celebrate, it also marks the end of a full week of quiet solemnity, signaling the start of a celebratory summer season.

The Blue Leaf Filipinas offers guests a new venue to host parties, corporate events and intimate get-togethers for friends and family. With our modern take on classic Filipino traditions, we can help you forge new bonds and create new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Filipinas at 632-9188 or visit filipinas.theblueleaf.com.ph for more information