Holy Week in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
Holy Week is a significant religious festival in the Philippines. In this predominantly Roman Catholic
country, Holy Week
is known as both Semana Santa (the original Spanish
name) or by the Filipino
name Mahál na Araw (lit. " Holy Days").
Beginning Maundy Thursday
, businesses in the Philippines
either shut down operations until Black Saturday
or have later opening and earlier closing times. During the Easter Triduum
, usually a public holiday
, many local television
and radio
stations interrupt broadcast or at least replace regular programming with more solemn or religious content out of respect. Many communities observe the Spanish-influenced Catholic rituals such as procession
s, with many having been syncretised
with pre-Hispanic beliefs. This is evident in local practises and the many superstitions associated with the occasion.
on Palm Sunday
(Linggo ng Palaspás), Catholics carry palm fronds to be blessed by the priest
. Many Filipinos
bring them home after the Mass
and place them above their front doors or windows, in the belief that doing so can ward off evil spirits and avert lightning. In some places a procession is held usually starting from an Ermita, a certain chapel not far from the parish church, in order to accommodate more faithfuls. Other parishes on the other hand blesses the palms in a plaza located in front of the church.
scenes from the life of Jesus no longer join the Good Friday Procession.
San Pablo, Makati and Malabon used to have processions on Holy Wednesday but to due to economic
constraints, they were discountinued some years ago.
(Huwebes Santo) is the beginning of the Triduum, and represents the build-up of events for the week.
The main observance of the day is the last Mass before Easter
(commonly called the Mass of the Institution of the Lord's Supper
) usually including a re-enactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles; this Mass is followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament
before it is taken to the Altar of Repose
.
Beginning in the morning, the faithful observe the "Visita Iglesia" or "Church Visit", which usually involves going to seven churches to meditate on the Way of the Cross; by evening this includes a visit to the exposed Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose.
Another tradition is when parishioners join their parish priest for the usual morning Mass in the cathedral
, especially in the large dioceses and archdioceses. Many priests in the country consider this to be the day when they renew their sacerdotal vows
.
, or Biyernes Santo, is a public holiday
, commemorated with solemn street procession
s, the Way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' Seven Last Words
or Siete Palabras, and a traditional Passion play called the Senákulo
, which in some places is a week long affair. In some communities (most famously in the province of Pampanga
), the processions include devotees who self-flagellate
and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses
as expressions of penance, in fulfillment of a vow, or in thanksgiving for a granted request. The marathon chanting or "pabasa" of the Pasyon
, the epic narrative of Christ's Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection, usually concludes on this day.
In the town of Paete, Laguna
,a tradition wherein the Santo Entierro is smoked several times before the procession, using lansones peelings for the fire while someone shouts "¡Señor, Misericordia, Señor!" (Lord, Have mercy, Lord!). This act would be repeated again during the procession.
Towards evening, there is a funeral procession of an image of dead Christ known as "Prusisyon ng Sto. Entierro". Often scenes from the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ precede the funeral cortege of Dead Christ borne on a carriage called "Calandra". Followed by the images of Salome, Mary of James, Mary Cleophas, Mary Magdalene, John the Evangelist and Mater Dolorosa.
Some places accord the statue of the Santo Entierro with proper funeral rites, such as laying the body in state
. The public sorrow attributed to this day gave rise to the descriptive Tagalog
idiom
"Mukha kang Biyernes Santo
", literally meaning "You look like Good Friday". This means that the subject looks so sad that he resembles the suffering Jesus Christ.
In Lipa City, Batangas, during midnight, a silent procession of the Santo Entierro is held for the burial in the nearest chapel of the parish. The Santo Entierro is accompanied by the Mater Dolorosa and St. John the Evangelist. The chapel serves as the tomb and locked until the midnight of Easter Sunday.
known locally as "Black Saturday" or Sabado de Gloria (Spanish
: "Saturday of Glory"), has the traditional silence and solemnity from the previous day spill over. Preparations are made for the Easter Vigil
to be celebrated that evening.
Some parishes have a presentation where Judas hangs himself because of his treachery towards Jesus.
(Paskò/Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) morning is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn ceremony called the Salubong (Filipino
: "meeting"). Images of the Resurrected Christ
and the Virgin Mary, are brought in procession together to meet at a designated area called a "Galilea", usually located at the plaza fronting the church. It re-enacts the imagined reunion of Jesus and his mother Mary after the Resurrection
. In some locales, statues of Mary of James, Mary of Cleophas, Salome, Magdalene and Saint John the Evangelist accompany the the image of the Mother of God.
The Virgin Mary is clothed or at least veil
ed in black
to express bereavement. A girl dressed as an angel
, positioned on a specially constructed high platform/scaffold or suspended in mid-air, sings the Regina Coeli
in Latin or Vernacular
and then dramatically removes the black veil, signifying the end of her grieving. This is accomplished by other "angels" who simply pulling off the veil, or by tying it to balloons or doves and releasing these into the air. The Virgin is called Nuestra Señora de Alegria, or Our Lady of Joy. The moment is marked by pealing bell
s and fireworks
, followed by the Easter Mass
that begins right after sunrise either at 6 or 7 in the morning. In some parishes however the pratice is done on midnight of Easter Sunday after the Easter Virgil the night before.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
country, Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
is known as both Semana Santa (the original Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
name) or by the Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
name Mahál na Araw (lit. " Holy Days").
Beginning Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
, businesses in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
either shut down operations until Black Saturday
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday , sometimes known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter...
or have later opening and earlier closing times. During the Easter Triduum
Easter Triduum
Easter Triduum, Holy Triduum, or Paschal Triduum is the period of three days that begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends with evening prayer on Easter Sunday...
, usually a public holiday
Public holidays in the Philippines
-Regular and Special Holidays:-Other Holidays:* Constitution Day - A non-working holiday on February 2, 2002, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the approval of the 1987 Philippine constitution....
, many local television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
stations interrupt broadcast or at least replace regular programming with more solemn or religious content out of respect. Many communities observe the Spanish-influenced Catholic rituals such as procession
Procession
A procession is an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner.-Procession elements:...
s, with many having been syncretised
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
with pre-Hispanic beliefs. This is evident in local practises and the many superstitions associated with the occasion.
Palm Sunday
At MassMass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
(Linggo ng Palaspás), Catholics carry palm fronds to be blessed by the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. Many Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
bring them home after the Mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
and place them above their front doors or windows, in the belief that doing so can ward off evil spirits and avert lightning. In some places a procession is held usually starting from an Ermita, a certain chapel not far from the parish church, in order to accommodate more faithfuls. Other parishes on the other hand blesses the palms in a plaza located in front of the church.
Holy Wednesday
In the nearby provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna a procession of the Passion of Christ is held during the evening of Holy Wednesday. Except for Baliwag and other small towns,scenes from the life of Jesus no longer join the Good Friday Procession.
San Pablo, Makati and Malabon used to have processions on Holy Wednesday but to due to economic
constraints, they were discountinued some years ago.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
(Huwebes Santo) is the beginning of the Triduum, and represents the build-up of events for the week.
The main observance of the day is the last Mass before Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
(commonly called the Mass of the Institution of the Lord's Supper
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
) usually including a re-enactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles; this Mass is followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
before it is taken to the Altar of Repose
Altar of repose
The altar of repose is an altar in Roman Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, and some Lutheran churches used as the place where the Communion hosts, consecrated in the Mass of the Lord's Supper, are reserved for Holy Communion on the following day, which is Good Friday, the day on which the death of Christ...
.
Beginning in the morning, the faithful observe the "Visita Iglesia" or "Church Visit", which usually involves going to seven churches to meditate on the Way of the Cross; by evening this includes a visit to the exposed Blessed Sacrament on the Altar of Repose.
Another tradition is when parishioners join their parish priest for the usual morning Mass in the cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, especially in the large dioceses and archdioceses. Many priests in the country consider this to be the day when they renew their sacerdotal vows
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
.
Good Friday
Good FridayGood Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, or Biyernes Santo, is a public holiday
Public holidays in the Philippines
-Regular and Special Holidays:-Other Holidays:* Constitution Day - A non-working holiday on February 2, 2002, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the approval of the 1987 Philippine constitution....
, commemorated with solemn street procession
Procession
A procession is an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner.-Procession elements:...
s, the Way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' Seven Last Words
Sayings of Jesus on the cross
There are seven expressions traditionally attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion, gathered from the four Canonical Gospels. Three of the sayings appear exclusively in the Gospel of Luke and three appear exclusively in the Gospel of John. The other saying appears both in the Gospel of Mark and...
or Siete Palabras, and a traditional Passion play called the Senákulo
Passion play
A Passion play is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic tradition....
, which in some places is a week long affair. In some communities (most famously in the province of Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
), the processions include devotees who self-flagellate
Flagellation
Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok...
and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses
San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites
The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites is a Holy Week re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and Death which takes place in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando, Pampanga in the Philippines....
as expressions of penance, in fulfillment of a vow, or in thanksgiving for a granted request. The marathon chanting or "pabasa" of the Pasyon
Pasyon
The Pasyon is a narrative of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ woven with the standard elements of epic poetry and a colorful dramatic theme, with stanzas of five lines. Each line has eight syllables...
, the epic narrative of Christ's Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection, usually concludes on this day.
In the town of Paete, Laguna
Paete, Laguna
Paete is a 4th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 24,696 people in 5,101 households....
,a tradition wherein the Santo Entierro is smoked several times before the procession, using lansones peelings for the fire while someone shouts "¡Señor, Misericordia, Señor!" (Lord, Have mercy, Lord!). This act would be repeated again during the procession.
Towards evening, there is a funeral procession of an image of dead Christ known as "Prusisyon ng Sto. Entierro". Often scenes from the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ precede the funeral cortege of Dead Christ borne on a carriage called "Calandra". Followed by the images of Salome, Mary of James, Mary Cleophas, Mary Magdalene, John the Evangelist and Mater Dolorosa.
Some places accord the statue of the Santo Entierro with proper funeral rites, such as laying the body in state
Lying in state
Lying in state is a term used to describe the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city...
. The public sorrow attributed to this day gave rise to the descriptive Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
"Mukha kang Biyernes Santo
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
", literally meaning "You look like Good Friday". This means that the subject looks so sad that he resembles the suffering Jesus Christ.
In Lipa City, Batangas, during midnight, a silent procession of the Santo Entierro is held for the burial in the nearest chapel of the parish. The Santo Entierro is accompanied by the Mater Dolorosa and St. John the Evangelist. The chapel serves as the tomb and locked until the midnight of Easter Sunday.
Holy Saturday
Holy SaturdayHoly Saturday
Holy Saturday , sometimes known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter...
known locally as "Black Saturday" or Sabado de Gloria (Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
: "Saturday of Glory"), has the traditional silence and solemnity from the previous day spill over. Preparations are made for the Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter, is a service held in many Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this service that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into...
to be celebrated that evening.
Some parishes have a presentation where Judas hangs himself because of his treachery towards Jesus.
Easter Sunday
EasterEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
(Paskò/Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) morning is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn ceremony called the Salubong (Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
: "meeting"). Images of the Resurrected Christ
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
and the Virgin Mary, are brought in procession together to meet at a designated area called a "Galilea", usually located at the plaza fronting the church. It re-enacts the imagined reunion of Jesus and his mother Mary after the Resurrection
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
. In some locales, statues of Mary of James, Mary of Cleophas, Salome, Magdalene and Saint John the Evangelist accompany the the image of the Mother of God.
The Virgin Mary is clothed or at least veil
Veil
A veil is an article of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, that is intended to cover some part of the head or face.One view is that as a religious item, it is intended to show honor to an object or space...
ed in black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
to express bereavement. A girl dressed as an angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
, positioned on a specially constructed high platform/scaffold or suspended in mid-air, sings the Regina Coeli
Regina Coeli
The Regina Caeli or Regina Coeli , an ancient Latin Marian Hymn of the Christian Church, is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prescribed to be sung or recited in the Liturgy of the Hours at the conclusion of the last of the hours to be prayed in common that day,...
in Latin or Vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
and then dramatically removes the black veil, signifying the end of her grieving. This is accomplished by other "angels" who simply pulling off the veil, or by tying it to balloons or doves and releasing these into the air. The Virgin is called Nuestra Señora de Alegria, or Our Lady of Joy. The moment is marked by pealing bell
Church bell
A church bell is a bell which is rung in a church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding, funeral, or other service...
s and fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
, followed by the Easter Mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
that begins right after sunrise either at 6 or 7 in the morning. In some parishes however the pratice is done on midnight of Easter Sunday after the Easter Virgil the night before.
Notable celebrations
Cities and locales nationwide with famous Holy Week celebrations and observances include:- Angono
- Arrevalo, Iloilo
- Baliuag
- Bantayan IslandBantayan IslandBantayan Island is in the Visayan Sea, Philippines, located just west off the northern tip of Cebu Island. The island, politically a part of the Province of Cebu, is about wide by long, with a total population of 120,101, as of the 2000 census. It is also the main and largest island of the...
- Guagua, PampangaGuagua, PampangaGuagua is a first-class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 104,284 people in 18,438 households....
- Makati
- MarinduqueMarinduqueIn 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
, see Moriones FestivalMoriones FestivalThe Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks... - Meycauayan
- Paete, see Paete: Holy Week in Paete
- Santa Rita, PampangaSanta Rita, PampangaSanta Rita is a 4th class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 36,723 people in 6,118 households....
- San Pablo CitySan Pablo CityThe City of San Pablo , a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country's oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province...
- Sasmuan
- Vigan
See also
- Hispanic influence on Filipino culture
- Kantada sa Semana SantaKantada sa Semana SantaKantada sa Semana Santa is a compilation of songs by Filipino musician Arnold Zamora in the Cebuano language for the Christian Holy Week celebration, from Palm Sunday to Easter Vigil.-Track listing:* Side A:**Passion Sunday:***"Osana sa Kahitas-an"...
- BinignitBinignitBinignit is a vegetable stew from the Visayas region in the Philippines. The dish is traditionally made by Cebuanos with slices of saba, taro, sweet potato. The people in the neighboring island Leyte, usually include landang , langka , anise and thickened with milled glutinous rice in cooking...