Central Luzon is a popular Holy Week destination

MANILA, Philippines - Holy Week is the best time for Filipinos to rediscover the roots of their Christian faith.

According to Department of Tourism Director for Region 3 Ronaldo Tiotuico, Central Luzon is an ideal destination to fulfill religious obligations for the Lenten season and at the same time explore the region’s cultural treasures.

On Maundy Thursday, visitors can do the visita iglesia in the Spanish-era churches across the region, which are of religious and historic importance.

Among the noteworthy churches in Bulacan are the Barasoain Church and Basilica of Immaculate Conception (Malolos), the churches in Hagonoy, Calumpit, Baliuag, Bustos, San Rafael, San Miguel, Sta. Maria, Obando and Angat.

The Divine Mercy National Shrine in Marilao and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in San Jose del Monte are popular Holy Week destinations.

In Pampanga, there are the churches in San Fernando, Lubao, Angeles, Bacolor, Apalit, Minalin, Candaba, Porac, and Betis (Guagua), which is regarded as the country’s counterpart to Sistine Chapel because of its stunning paintings on the ceiling.

In Tarlac, one can go on a pilgrimage to the Monasterio de Tarlac or Relic of the True Cross in San Jose which is said to contain relics of the wooden cross where Jesus was nailed. Pilgrims seek healing in the church of La Paz, Tarlac where miracles attributed to Our Lady of Peace have been reported.

Other significant churches are the San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac City, and the churches in Camiling and Paniqui.

The provinces of Zambales, Aurora, Bataan and Nueva Ecija also have equally important religious destinations such as the Ina Poo Bato Shrine in Botolan.

On Good Friday, a must-see is the popular Kalbaryo Lenten rites of Good Friday at Barangay San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga where penitents are nailed on the cross at noontime to reenact Jesus’ crucifixion.

In Angeles City and in the remote village of Kapitangan in Paombong, Bulacan, a similar ritual takes place on a smaller scale. In many towns, the senakulo or street play is held to reenact the passion of Christ with the participation of local folks.

Elsewhere, a common sight are flagellants doing the penitensya carrying wooden crosses or whipping themselves to signify repentance for their sins.

In the late afternoon, solemn observances are held in all towns across in the region, where families with old life-size religious statues on carrozas bring them to be part of the long procession which concludes with the Santo Entierro or the Dead Christ.

After the procession, the faithful get an old world feel as they converge in ancestral houses or in the homes of the hermano mayor to share dinner. The towns of Malolos, Plaridel, Baliwag and Pulilan and the cities of San Fernando and Angeles are noted for this practice.

A joyful mood returns on Resurrection (Easter) Sunday with the pre-dawn Mass and the elaborate salubong which portrays the meeting of the risen Christ and His mother, Mary. The highlight of the ritual is the removal of Mary’s black veil by a little girl dressed as an angel, descending from heaven.

A unique age-old Easter ritual takes place in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga called “Blasting of Judas Iscariot” where his papier mache effigy is blasted with firecrackers. Local folks believe that the act is their way of renouncing evil and the loud explosion is a sign of bountiful harvest from the farm and the sea.

For more information, log on to www.visitmyphilippines.com, e-mail celtour@yahoo.com or call (045) 625-8525 / 961-2612.