MANILA, Philippines - Rediscover the roots of our Christian faith and unravel the heritage of Central Luzon this Holy Week. On Maundy Thursday, do the visita iglesia in the Spanish-era churches across the region, including the Barasoain Church. In Tarlac, 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 were Jesus was nailed.
On Good Friday, a must-see is the popular kalbaryo Lenten rites of Good Friday at Brgy. San Pedro Cutud in San Fernando, Pampanga where penitents are nailed on the cross at to reenact Jesus’ crucifixion. In many towns, the senakulo is held to reenact the passion of Christ with the participation of locals. In the late afternoon, solemn observances are held in all towns across in the region, where families with old life-size religious statues bring them to be part of the long procession which concludes with the Santo Entierro or the Dead Christ.
The people’s joyful mood returns on Easter Sunday with the pre-dawn mass and the elaborate salubong.
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