~ Photographs & Memories To Spice Up Your Life ~: April 2012

Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines

Today, a large number of our fellow men is going through the tradition of penitensya or penance. A tradition applied in the Philippines for hundreds of years. This is a reenactment of Christ’s suffering from Gethsemane to the cross. Individuals instill wounds on themselves, and a few actually go as far as truly being crucified. Happen to be a large event drawing in countless tourists both local and international. People perform this for many different reasons.

Christians around the globe recognise the Holy Week of Easter in festivity of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This is also one of the most awaited time for us to have bonding time with the family, some would go back to their province for a long holiday weekends, a time to recollect and reflect. For me and for some it is more the quiet time, reflect, prayers and rest my mind and spirit to recollect. A time to slow down, think and set aside worries for awhile, just like breathing fresh air, a time away from work,kinda disconnect ...at least for awhile, a short while to gain strength, physical and esp. spiritual strength, inner peace and no matter what holiday or season it is, i still and will always believe that the strongest weapon PRAYERS! Happy Easter Everyone!

Here are some pics taken by my nephew (Jerwin) that i would like to share with everyone. Penance, Holy Week Tradition in the Philippines

Additional Info:

According to source ( Google Search ): Holy Week is a significant religious festival in the Philippines. In this predominantly Roman Catholic country, Holy Week is known as Semana Santa (the original Spanish name), Cuaresma (Latin:Quadragesima, "fortieth") or by the Filipino name Mahál na Araw ('Lovely 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, which is usually a public holiday, many local terrestrial television and radio stations closedown out of respect, or have limited broadcasting hours. Those that do operate replace normal programming with special religious content and news coverage of religious ceremonies. Many communities observe the Spanish-influenced Catholic rituals such as processions, with many having been syncretised with pre-Hispanic beliefs. This is evident in local practises and the many superstitions associated with the occasion.

Good Friday,is a public holiday, commemorated with solemn street processions, 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.

Holy Saturday 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.

Easter (Paskò/Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) morning is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn ceremony called the Salubong (Filipino: "meeting").

Have a Blessed and Peaceful Holy Week Everyone!

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