Holy Week manifests the fervent faith of Roman Catholic Filipinos on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In fact, it is heavily embedded in the history, culture, and way of life of the locals, one that is difficult to part with. It is the lasting imprint of over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. Capiznons to be specific, take Holy Week to heart seriously. Aside from Christmas and All Saints’ Day, Holy Week sees family reunite for after its sobriety follows the celebration in Easter.
Palm Sunday
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday or Mierkules Badlis, where the faithful receives anointment of ash on the forehead. The ash comes from burnt palm and coconut leaves blessed by the priest from the previous year’s Palm Sunday or Lukay-Lukay. Palm Sunday commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. The Capiznons would celebrate Lukay-Lukay by the distribution of coconut (as substitute to palm) leaves. However, I observe that the event has become commercialized endeavor already. Outside the church line dozens of vendors on the street, convincing, sometimes begging, churchgoers to buy their lukay. Parishioners think of this as convenient enough for them, so they would not have to make their own lukay but simply buy one and get it blessed by the priest.
The lukay is typically designed to look like a cross or a fancier version of a palm leaf. I remember when I was younger my grandmother would make lukay and bring it with us to the church. After the High Mass, the priest would bless them as the churchgoers would raise them up. Tradition has it that these sacred leaves have the power to ward off evil spirit. Local shamans (herbolaryo or albolaryo) would use this during the buok, a ceremony performed when an albularyo diagnoses an individual to be suffering from ailments caused by evil spells. It involves exposing that patient to the smoke emitted by the burnt lukay and other ingredients prescribed by the albularyo.
Maundy Thursday
The day begins with a mass at the Cathedral attended not only by the parishioners but by the parish priests, too, who renew their vows in this time of the year. When afternoon comes, the last mass before Easter is celebrated. The highlight is the reenactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Twelve Apostles. This is followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament before it is finally laid in the Altar of Repose. After this, locals would start their Visita Iglesia or Church Visit. Usually, Capiznons would see seven churches to pray at each Altar of Repose.
Good Friday
There are parishioners who would embark on their Visita Iglesia on Good Friday, while there are those who would go on Via Cruces or the Way of the Cross in the morning. In the midday, the Siete Palabras or the Seven Last Words of Jesus would be spoken in the churches. At 3 pm, the Mass of the Presanctified is held and when dusk arrives, so the procession begins. Everyone from all walks of life would converge and lining up right after the carozza (carriage) of their choice. The procession of the passion of the Christ showcases well-adorned saints, usually decades old, followed by parishioners with lighted candles as they say the rosary.
Black Saturday and Easter Sunday
Frenzied pace is usually absent on Black Saturday to give way for the renewed life on Easter. It begins in the wee hours of the dawn, around 3 am, when a procession commemorating the resurrection of Christ is held. A mass is held afterwards to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Christ is alive and so life resumes to its normal ways. Noticeably, families would head to the beach, while some would spend the day drinking and merrymaking until they drop drunk by the afternoon. It is usual that after two or three days of repentance and abstinence the old habit that never dies resumes,habits that too many of our brothers and sisters find difficult to break.
Holy Weeks shows us what fervent faith, or at least religiosity, do churchgoers have! But to whom do we really place our faith? To the coconut and palm leaves? To the flowers adorning the pasos we quickly snatch after every procession? To the well-adorned saints? Or to Him who was crucified to save us all? Ponder upon this. Beyond the tradition, the essence of Holy Week is to commemorate the sacrifices of Jesus Christ who so loved us and yearned to save us that He offered His life to cleanse us all from sins.
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