Expats’ Guide: What to Expect on Holy Week in the Philippines
Holy Week is the annual Christian tradition in commemoration of Jesus’ death and his resurrection. It is part of the Lent, which starts on Palm Sunday and includes the Christian observances and solemn holidays of Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It ends on Easter Sundays where people would celebrate His rise from the dead.
The Holy Week in the Philippines is observed every year as Filipinos in general are religious, in which more than half of the population are Catholics. It is usually around March or April, and Filipinos are gearing up for their respective itineraries. Some may opt to stay in the comforts of their house, while some go out and enjoy a long vacation ahead.
Read on to know more about what to expect this coming Holy Week!
What to expect
Long holiday
Every Holy Week, the government declares holidays at certain dates within the Holy Week to give time for devotees on their traditional beliefs and activities during this time of the year. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are declared as a regular holiday in the Philippines. However, some companies also declare Holy Wednesday as a holiday, while some opt for half-days.
Also read:
5 Tips to Remember for Your Holy Week Travel
LIST: Top Holy Week Destinations in PH
Families going on Visita Iglesia
IMAGE Yana Bautista
It has been a yearly tradition for many families in the country to go on a Visita Iglesia during Holy Week. During this time, families hop from one church to another to revive their spiritual beliefs, and discover and witness the rich history of the places as well.
Also read:
Visita Iglesia: North of Manila
Visita Iglesia: South of Manila
Visita Iglesia in Metro Manila
10 Most Beautiful Churches in Manila
Aside from Visita Iglesia, another religious tradition includes The Pasyon or Reading of the Passion of Christ. One would sometimes hear a dominating voice of a woman in the neighborhood singing hymns and songs during the entire Holy Week.
Also read: Holy Week Traditions Filipinos Observe
Penitence
Photo via pampangacapitol.ph
It will also be that time of the year when people go on penitence for the sins they have committed. A popular place where people have their penitence is in San Fernando, Pampanga, where a number of people reenact the carrying of the Cross up to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Also read: A Look at Pampanga’s Most Beautiful Baroque Churches
Moreover, some people do fasting, wherein they opt to avoid eating meat in general. People also abstain from doing specific activities, as part of their sacrifice during the season.
Also read: A Guide to Food Served During the Lenten Season
Superstition
Filipinos also have several superstitions during Holy Week, such as not taking a bath and avoiding any loud activity after 3 PM on a Good Friday. There are also beliefs where you are not allowed to get wounded as it will take longer time to heal.
The kids are also especially quiet on a Black Saturday because adults scare them off, saying that the evil is out since the Lord is dead.
Also read: Holy Week Superstitions in the Philippines
Closed establishments
Expect that a number of commercial establishments will be closed for a day or two, or they will cut operating hours from Maundy Thursday to Black Friday. There are also several malls that will change operating hours for some days during the week.
Also read: Holy Week Mall Schedules 2019
However, some are still open, especially the restaurants that offer vegan or seafood for customers who are fasting or in abstinence.
Also read: 5 Lent-Friendly Restaurants to Enjoy Different Cuisines in Makati
Don’t worry, too. There’s still a list of activities to do in the city if you’re not a Catholic.
Also read:
5 Things to Do in the City for Holy Week
6 Things Expats Can Do during the Holy Week
Heavy traffic
Due to the long holiday, people usually go to their provinces to make use of their vacation. As a result, bus companies would add trips over their usual number in a day. Usual heavy traffic is expected on the night of Holy Wednesday and the whole day of Maundy Thursday, as people are flocking outside Metro Manila. Good Friday is a bit traffic as some people planned their trips on this day to avoid the crowd on Thursday, while Easter Sunday is also heavy as they are returning from a week-long vacation.
Meanwhile, Black Saturday is not that traffic as the Metro is practically a dead town, too.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Respect everyone observing the season, so as every other religion.
- Try to participate, even if it’s as simple as watching Biblical movies.
Also read: 8 Interesting Biblical Movies to Watch this Holy Week
Don’ts
- Avoid celebrating during the Holy Week, especially on Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday.
Article by Gelyka Ruth R. Dumaraos
