Makati reroutes traffic for Holy Week activities

MANILA, Philippines -  Makati City will be rerouting traffic during the Holy Week as the faithful, local and foreign tourists are expected to flock to and visit Barangay Poblacion and take part in traditional Lenten practices, such as the much-awaited procession of antique crucifixes and images.

According to the Makati City government, starting Holy Tuesday, traffic on J.P. Rizal Avenue from Manila to Guadalupe-EDSA and vice versa will be rerouted to make way for Lenten activities such as the traditional Lenten procession and the Pabasa or the reading of the Passion of the Christ.

The city’s observance of the Lenten Season kicked off  April 10 with the opening of an exhibit dubbed “Tradisyon: Enduring Customs of Makati in Living Exhibit” at the Atrium of Glorietta 5, Ayala Center. The exhibit will be open until April 15.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay urged the faithful to visit the exhibit.

“Visitors of the exhibit shall experience a unique appreciation for our culture and heritage and have an understanding on the origins and how Makati City grew into being a premier hub of flourishing enterprise, education and governance,” Binay said.

The exhibit features photographs of old Makati, relics from churches and homes, props and costumes used in parades and festivals like the Lenten procession with the goal of reviving pride of place among residents.

Meanwhile 25 “kubols” or “kalbaryos”  (tableaus) have been put up in various streets of Barangay Poblacion.

The tableaus are used in the reading of the “Pasyon” or the Passion of Christ and feature antique life-size religious images.

As some streets in Barangay Poblacion will be closed to make way for the Lenten procession and relevant activities, the Makati Command Center has issued a traffic advisory providing alternate routes to motorists specifically on April 16 (Holy Wednesday) and April 18 (Good Friday), starting at 5pm onwards.  There will be no traffic re-routing on April 17, 19 and 20.

For motorists coming from Guadalupe going to Manila, turn left to Estrella St. then continue straight to EDSA, make right turn to Gil Puyat (Buendia) then right turn to Nicanor Garcia St. (Reposo), then left turn to J.P. Rizal towards Taft Avenue.

For motorists coming from Manila going to Guadalupe, from Kalayaan Avenue turn right to Nicanor Garcia St. (Reposo) going towards Gil Puyat (Buendia) then straight to EDSA, turn right to Kalayaan Avenue, then turn left to Sgt. Fabian Yabut St. to reach Guadalupe.

Meanwhile, the Lenten procession route on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday will start after the 6:30 p.m. mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church (beside St. Paul College of Makati, across the Cristo Rey Plaza), which will be the ending point as well.  Parade entourage will pass through the following streets: Kalayaan Avenue, Don Pedro, General Luna, Pagulayan, D.M. Rivera, Mabini, Don Pedro, Gabaldon, J.D. Villena, J.P. Rizal Avenue, Bonifacio, E. Zobel, Mabini, J.P. Rizal Avenue, Pertierra, Ma. Aurora, M.L. Quezon, Osmeña, F. Zobel, Buencamino, E. Zobel, Quintos, Santiago, Singian, and Makati Avenue, then to P. Burgos and back to Sts. Peter and Paul Church.