PALASPAS: Opening act of Semana Santa

PALASPAS: Opening act of Semana Santa

        “Palaspas.” Every year, Palm Sunday is observed by Catholics in the Philippines. It is a festive event wherein churchgoers raise their “palaspas” (palm leaves) into the air, to be blessed by the presiding priest during Mass. Afterwards, people take home their blessed palm leaves and attach these onto their windowsills and roofs. It is a general belief that blessed “palaspas” can bring good fortune, as well as remove any negativity, in the household.

        “Pabasa.” Another long-standing Holy Week tradition is the reading of religious texts, known as “pabasa.”  It usually starts after the Mass on Palm Sunday, but it is also held on the other days of the Holy Week.

        The prayer book on the Passion of Christ is chanted in many different ways. The organizer of the “pabasa” prepares two books for the readers. One group reads or chants one verse and the other group reads or chants the next verse. The “pabasa” can last for a whole day and night. A “pabasa” usually ends on or before Good Friday, followed by the reading of “Siete Palabras” or the Seven Last Words of Jesus.

        Most of these reading events are public, organized for the whole community, but private ones are also organized by families in their homes, with relatives and friends joining in.

        Moriones Festival. Provinces like Marinduque celebrate a weeklong festival that commemorates the miracle of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the side of the crucified Jesus. Longinus was blind on one eye, and as a drop of blood that gushed from Jesus’ body fell into his eye, his vision was restored, making him a believer of Christ and an enemy of Rome.

        The festive event is called Moriones Festival. “Morion” means mask, which was once a part of the Roman soldier’s helmet. Thus, colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets characterize this uniquely Filipino festival.  Apart from several parades, mask paintings, and processions, one of the most entertaining activities of the festival is a reenactment of Longinus’ story. Longinus runs around town, hiding inside houses and markets, climbing trees and lampposts, losing himself in the crowds of tourists just to escape the moriones pursuing him. This festival culminates on Easter Sunday.

       

 “Sinakulo.” It is a Lenten play narrating the life, suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  To present the entire story, plays are held each night beginning on Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday.

        “Visita Iglesia.” In the evening of Maundy Thursday, the Mass of the Last Supper is celebrated in churches across the country.  After the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is put in an Altar of Repose or “monumento.” Then, the churches remain open for visitors – the “Visita Iglesia.”

        “Siete Palabras.” The main activity on Good Friday is the “Siete Palabras” or readings on the Seven Last Words, usually starting at 12 noon and ending at 3 p.m., the hour of Jesus death.  Then there’s a three-act liturgy, and a procession of religious images at the end.  The religious images are often veiled in black and carried around town on “carrozas” (carriages).  The main image is that of the “Santo Intierro” or the body of the dead Jesus.

        In the evening, the Soledad Procession commences.  The highlight of this procession would be the search of Jesus by the Tres Marias (Three Marias, referring to Maria Magdalena, the sinner turned saint; Maria Cleofe, mother of the apostle James the Younger; and Maria Jacobe, mother of the apostles James the Greater and John).

        “Penitensya.” Many Filipinos also participate in taboo practices, which the Catholic Church does not encourage. These include “penitensya” (penance) entailing self-flagellations and crucifixions.  Especially in the province of Pampanga, devotees re-enact Jesus’ suffering by having themselves nailed to crosses.

        This Kapampangan tradition began in 1955 after writer Ricardo Navarro came up with the play narrating Jesus’ story, and the actual crucifixions followed in 1962. Many penitents would dress up as Jesus Christ, walking barefoot, and carrying life-size crosses around town for the entire day. In another “penitensya,” hooded men whip their backs as a form of repentance for their sins. These events attract thousands of locals and foreign tourists.

        “Salubong.” On Easter Sunday, Filipinos celebrate the “Salubong,” – known as “Sugat” in the Visayas and Mindanao – a 4 a.m. vigil commemorating the meeting of the Mary and the Risen Jesus. The meeting is usually staged at the plaza of the church, where people throw flower petals and sing songs of glory, celebrating everyone’s joy for the Lord’s resurrection

REFERENCE (PICTURES):
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