The 9, Centuries-old Holy Week Practices Still Embrace by the Filipinos
The Holy Week is one of the solemn, sacred times for Filipino Catholics. This week-long religious activity a demonstration of the Filipinos' religiosity. The Philippines, whose population is predominantly
Catholics give importance to the observance of the Holy Week through religious activities and
practices which begin from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday, Christ’s resurrection, and the meeting of His mother, the Virgin Mary. During the Holy Week, Filipinos show their penitence in different ways like fasting and abstinence, physical harm or self-flagellate, and prayer.
Below are just some of the Holy Week activities practice and embrace by the Filipinos for
centuries:
Below are just some of the Holy Week activities practice and embrace by the Filipinos for
centuries:
1. Palm Sunday
Storm Crypt/Flickr
Palm Sunday is the start of the Holy Week. The Catholic faithful will bring palm fronds to the church and have them blessed by a priest. Once blessed, the palm fronds (palapas) are placed usually at the doors which are believed to drive away bad spirits and bad luck.
The cross-shaped palm fronds are intricately created by faithful themselves and by Filipinos who sell these to parishioners. As early as Friday, thousands of makers of cross-shaped palm friends will stay and start making these cross-shaped palm fronds near the vicinity of the church all over the country.
2. Sinakulo (passion play)
istolethetv (Flickr)
Sinakulo is a passion play participated by penitents, reenacting the dying hours of Jesus Christ
on the way to Calvary. The Sinakulo is done by inflicting harm on different parts of the body of
the penitents as a form of repentance for their sins and for the absolution of their sins. The
penitents walk around the streets while they repeatedly whip their back usually with straps by
fellow penitents or the penitents themselves. Grew up and raised in the province, I have
observed how this bloody, painful penitence is carried out by locals on Good Friday.
on the way to Calvary. The Sinakulo is done by inflicting harm on different parts of the body of
the penitents as a form of repentance for their sins and for the absolution of their sins. The
penitents walk around the streets while they repeatedly whip their back usually with straps by
fellow penitents or the penitents themselves. Grew up and raised in the province, I have
observed how this bloody, painful penitence is carried out by locals on Good Friday.
In the province, I used to witness my male neighbor-penitent who practices this kind of
penitence every Good Friday. Like what Jesus Christ has done, he would carry a big, wooden
cross as he walks around the streets while other persons following him constantly whip his back
usually with leather straps, the bark of trees, twigs, or other materials until his body becomes bloody.
When asked why he has been doing this, he would answer, it's his way of penitence.
3. Siete Palabras (Jesus’ Seven Last Words)
The " Siete Palabras" is a Spanish phrase that means " The Last Seven Words." It is the reading and chanting of Jesus Christ’s last seven words hours before His painful death on the cross. The Siete Palabras has been done in Catholic Churches on Good Friday from 12 noon until 3 o’clock in the afternoon in time for Jesus Christ’s death. In this Holy Week religious activity, seven (7) different readers/speakers take turns reading and chanting each of Jesus Christ’s seven last words before thousands of crying faithful.
4. Pinetensya (Penitence)
Angelo De Leon/Flickr
The Filipinos show their repentance in different ways like fasting and abstinence, self-flagellate or
ly hurting themselves and praying. In the Philippines, especially in provinces, there is common,
a painful form of penance where penitents walk around the streets while being constantly whipped
their body with leather straps or twigs. This painful, bloody practice has been done every Good
Friday by penitents who want to be absolved of their sins. Some penitents would ask other
persons to whip their body. The penitents believe that by doing such acts they would be forgiven
for their sins or their sins would be absolved.
ly hurting themselves and praying. In the Philippines, especially in provinces, there is common,
a painful form of penance where penitents walk around the streets while being constantly whipped
their body with leather straps or twigs. This painful, bloody practice has been done every Good
Friday by penitents who want to be absolved of their sins. Some penitents would ask other
persons to whip their body. The penitents believe that by doing such acts they would be forgiven
for their sins or their sins would be absolved.
5. Salubong (welcoming Jesus Christ’s Resurrection)
Ernest Magana/Flickr
Salubong (welcoming/meeting of the resurrected Jesus Christ and His mother) is a pre-dawn
religious activity did hours before the resurrection of Christ and meeting of His mother, Virgin
Mary on Easter Sunday. But in some provinces, the salubong is done at the dawn. In the province,
during my childhood years, we would never fail to watch the “Salubong.” Despite the dawn
breeze and sleepiness, we would dare go out and watch the salubong together with my parents
and neighbors. In many provinces, salubong are held within the vicinity of the church. In our
church, for example, the salubong involves children who portray themselves as angels. They all
wear in a white dress and customized wings. Before the actual salubong, there would be a
rehearsal did at 8 o’clock in the evening. The rehearsal aims to familiarize the lowering
of the children and the singing of the Hallelujah, the children who act as angels would be singing
while they are being lowered from the higher position. Also part of the salubong is the burning
of Judas’ effigy immediately after the resurrection of Christ.
religious activity did hours before the resurrection of Christ and meeting of His mother, Virgin
Mary on Easter Sunday. But in some provinces, the salubong is done at the dawn. In the province,
during my childhood years, we would never fail to watch the “Salubong.” Despite the dawn
breeze and sleepiness, we would dare go out and watch the salubong together with my parents
and neighbors. In many provinces, salubong are held within the vicinity of the church. In our
church, for example, the salubong involves children who portray themselves as angels. They all
wear in a white dress and customized wings. Before the actual salubong, there would be a
rehearsal did at 8 o’clock in the evening. The rehearsal aims to familiarize the lowering
of the children and the singing of the Hallelujah, the children who act as angels would be singing
while they are being lowered from the higher position. Also part of the salubong is the burning
of Judas’ effigy immediately after the resurrection of Christ.
6. Fasting & Abstinence
In the Philippines, eating any kind of meat during the Holy Week particularly on Good Friday is
strongly discouraged by the Church. This is to sympathize with the suffering of Jesus Christ
especially during His dying hours. In place of meat, Filipino Catholics just eat fish and
vegetables. But ironically, on Good Friday, while the rest of the Filipinos observe fasting and
abstinence, a certain island in northern Cebu, Philippines breaks the traditional observance of
fasting and abstinence of meat. Residents of this island instead of going on fasting and
abstinence of meat, they celebrate Good Friday by eating meat.
strongly discouraged by the Church. This is to sympathize with the suffering of Jesus Christ
especially during His dying hours. In place of meat, Filipino Catholics just eat fish and
vegetables. But ironically, on Good Friday, while the rest of the Filipinos observe fasting and
abstinence, a certain island in northern Cebu, Philippines breaks the traditional observance of
fasting and abstinence of meat. Residents of this island instead of going on fasting and
abstinence of meat, they celebrate Good Friday by eating meat.
This is because of Papal Indult which allows them to eat meat on Good Friday, but the church
claims that the Indult has already
expired many years ago. An Indult is a license granted by the Pope authorizing an act that the
common law of the Church does not sanction. To make the celebration more festive, residents of
the island also holds entertainment activities such as beauty pageant, disco, and other
entertainments. Local and foreign visitors and entertainers take part in the feast celebration.
common law of the Church does not sanction. To make the celebration more festive, residents of
the island also holds entertainment activities such as beauty pageant, disco, and other
entertainments. Local and foreign visitors and entertainers take part in the feast celebration.
7. Visita Iglesia (church visits)
Francis Tan/Flickr
The Visita Iglesia or church visit is a religious activity in which Catholic faithful or devotees will
visit seven or more different churches in their community usually on Maundy Thursday. The
Visita Iglesia is a Spanish phrase that means “church visit.” In the Philippines, the Visita Iglesia
is practiced not only during Holy Week, but also in other occasions such as before or after taking
Professional Licensure Examinations or when someone wants to be healed of his/her illness.
I have friends who visited seven (7) different churches while waiting for the result of the
examinations.
visit seven or more different churches in their community usually on Maundy Thursday. The
Visita Iglesia is a Spanish phrase that means “church visit.” In the Philippines, the Visita Iglesia
is practiced not only during Holy Week, but also in other occasions such as before or after taking
Professional Licensure Examinations or when someone wants to be healed of his/her illness.
I have friends who visited seven (7) different churches while waiting for the result of the
examinations.
8. Moriones festival
Anton Barroro/Flickr
The Moriones Festival is celebrated during Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines.
Residents in this island actively participate in the yearly Moriones Festival whose participants are
usually, farmers and fishermen who wear masks and body armor resembling those of Roman
soldiers. They will roam around the streets to look for Longinus, the half-blind Roman soldier who
pierced the side of Jesus Christ’s body on the cross with a lance. A drop of blood falls on the
the blind eye that instantly restored his eyesight. After that miraculous incident, Longinus has
become one of the believers of Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that his fellow soldiers want
him killed. In the end, Longinus was killed by his fellow soldiers.
Residents in this island actively participate in the yearly Moriones Festival whose participants are
usually, farmers and fishermen who wear masks and body armor resembling those of Roman
soldiers. They will roam around the streets to look for Longinus, the half-blind Roman soldier who
pierced the side of Jesus Christ’s body on the cross with a lance. A drop of blood falls on the
the blind eye that instantly restored his eyesight. After that miraculous incident, Longinus has
become one of the believers of Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that his fellow soldiers want
him killed. In the end, Longinus was killed by his fellow soldiers.
9. Crucifixions
Lukasz Semeniuk/Flickr
Another form of penance is the crucifixion by penitents on Good Friday. This is another form of
penance where penitents volunteered to be nailed to the cross. This practice is done usually on
Good Friday in different provinces particularly in Cutud, Pampanga Philippines. Thousands of local
and foreign visitors flock to this place every Good Friday to witness the actual nailing to the cross
of penitents. Though, medical professionals have discouraged this form of penitence citing the
health risk of tetanus on the nails used in the crucifixions.
penance where penitents volunteered to be nailed to the cross. This practice is done usually on
Good Friday in different provinces particularly in Cutud, Pampanga Philippines. Thousands of local
and foreign visitors flock to this place every Good Friday to witness the actual nailing to the cross
of penitents. Though, medical professionals have discouraged this form of penitence citing the
health risk of tetanus on the nails used in the crucifixions.
In the province of Cebu, Philippines
there is a penitent who volunteers himself to be nailed to the cross every Good Friday. When asked why he's doing this, he would say it’s his way of absolving his sins. To avoid contracting tetanus, after every crucifixion, he would rush to the sea to have his nail wounds washed with sea water.
Flagellants
The flagellants are those penitents who inflict physical harm on their body as a form of
repentance. Flagellants would do the penance in different ways, but the most common form of
penance is through self-flagellate or inflicting harm on different parts of their body. In this
penance, penitent-flagellants roam around the place while repeatedly whip their body with twigs
or leather straps. Another form of penance that is considered by many as the most extreme
and painful is the crucifixion in which the penitents will be nailed to the cross. This form of
penance is practiced in some provinces in the Philippines most notably in Cutud, Pampanga,
The Philippines. This form of penance has attracted thousands of local and foreign visitors every Good
Friday.
repentance. Flagellants would do the penance in different ways, but the most common form of
penance is through self-flagellate or inflicting harm on different parts of their body. In this
penance, penitent-flagellants roam around the place while repeatedly whip their body with twigs
or leather straps. Another form of penance that is considered by many as the most extreme
and painful is the crucifixion in which the penitents will be nailed to the cross. This form of
penance is practiced in some provinces in the Philippines most notably in Cutud, Pampanga,
The Philippines. This form of penance has attracted thousands of local and foreign visitors every Good
Friday.
Superstitious Beliefs Observe by Filipinos during Holy Week
In the Philippines, during the Holy Week, there are practices that are perceived as superstition.
Below are just some of them:
Below are just some of them:
No work on Good Friday
It has been a custom of Filipino Catholics to refrain from doing any work on Good Friday including
doing household chores such as doing laundry, cleaning of the house, and other household chores
or sweeping the backyard. Though with the change of time, some of the modern day Filipinos no
longer practice some of these beliefs.
doing household chores such as doing laundry, cleaning of the house, and other household chores
or sweeping the backyard. Though with the change of time, some of the modern day Filipinos no
longer practice some of these beliefs.
Never take a bath on Good Friday
In Filipino superstition, taking a bath on Good Friday is strongly discouraged by our ancestors.
According to superstitious beliefs, a person who would take a bath on Good Friday would develop
skin diseases on different parts of their body.
According to superstitious beliefs, a person who would take a bath on Good Friday would develop
skin diseases on different parts of their body.
No cutting of hair
This is another superstitious belief in which cutting of hair is discouraged during Holy Week
especially on Good Friday.
especially on Good Friday.
Never cut your fingernails on Good Friday
One of the superstitious beliefs during Holy Week is not to do nail-cutting of one’s fingernails on
Good Friday especially at 3 o’clock in the afternoon the exact time Jesus Christ died on the cross.
If in the process you get cuts/wounds, they would never heal or would heal slowly. This is just
one of the superstitious beliefs according to superstition associated with the Holy Week.
Good Friday especially at 3 o’clock in the afternoon the exact time Jesus Christ died on the cross.
If in the process you get cuts/wounds, they would never heal or would heal slowly. This is just
one of the superstitious beliefs according to superstition associated with the Holy Week.
No kite-flying on Good Friday
In the province, I could still remember my parents and my playmates’ parents who would
discourage us to go kite-flying especially on Good Friday especially at 3 o’clock in the afternoon
where the Lord has died. According to Filipino superstitious belief, a child would go blind while
watching the kites in the sky.
discourage us to go kite-flying especially on Good Friday especially at 3 o’clock in the afternoon
where the Lord has died. According to Filipino superstitious belief, a child would go blind while
watching the kites in the sky.
Aswang (witchcraft)
In the province where I grew up, there had been several Holy Week activities which other people
perceive as superstition. According to superstitious beliefs, aswangs (witchcraft /sorcery) would
allegedly have magical power on Good Friday especially beyond 3 o’clock in the afternoon where
Jesus Christ died on the cross. The death of Jesus Christ would make aswangs more powerful
and invincible. According to superstition,it is on Good Friday where sorcery and witchcraft are
strongest.
perceive as superstition. According to superstitious beliefs, aswangs (witchcraft /sorcery) would
allegedly have magical power on Good Friday especially beyond 3 o’clock in the afternoon where
Jesus Christ died on the cross. The death of Jesus Christ would make aswangs more powerful
and invincible. According to superstition,it is on Good Friday where sorcery and witchcraft are
strongest.
Albularyos (quack doctors)
In provinces, Good Friday is allegedly the day where quack doctors and those who possess or
want to possess amulets would follow and fulfill their “tahas.” The word “tahas” is a Visayan
dialect which means to fulfill an obligation of being a quack doctor. It is believed that failure to do
your obligation, the “albularyos” or the quack doctors would go crazy. In my province, there
have been quack doctors who have allegedly gone crazy because of their failure to do the
" tahas."For tahas to be successful, a quack doctor must be at a cemetery at exactly 12 midnight
to do rituals. In other stories, the "tahas" is performed in a church or cave. It is on Good Friday
where they would be able to gain sorcery or witchcraft.
want to possess amulets would follow and fulfill their “tahas.” The word “tahas” is a Visayan
dialect which means to fulfill an obligation of being a quack doctor. It is believed that failure to do
your obligation, the “albularyos” or the quack doctors would go crazy. In my province, there
have been quack doctors who have allegedly gone crazy because of their failure to do the
" tahas."For tahas to be successful, a quack doctor must be at a cemetery at exactly 12 midnight
to do rituals. In other stories, the "tahas" is performed in a church or cave. It is on Good Friday
where they would be able to gain sorcery or witchcraft.
Just like any other religious events, Holy Week also has its share of superstitious beliefs during
its observance. In this age of technological advancement, there are Filipinos who still believe
and practice superstition.
its observance. In this age of technological advancement, there are Filipinos who still believe
and practice superstition.
The Holy Week is very significant for the Filipinos that commercial establishments, schools,
government and private institutions are closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Filipinos
who work in the cities would take vacations and spend the Holy Week in provinces. The Holy
Week particularly Good Friday is considered as solemn. To give more time to the
observance of Good Friday, government and private business establishments and schools will be
closed.
government and private institutions are closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Filipinos
who work in the cities would take vacations and spend the Holy Week in provinces. The Holy
Week particularly Good Friday is considered as solemn. To give more time to the
observance of Good Friday, government and private business establishments and schools will be
closed.
