Holy Week is the last week of the Lent before Easter Sunday. Catholics are celebrating this years Holy Week from March 28 - April 3. For Christians, this is a celebration in commemoration for Christ Death through praying , penance and fasting.
Some establishment were closed until Black Saturday in observance of this solemn occasion. Good Friday is definitely a national holiday and the road is free from traffic congestion which is rarely seen in Philippines road. This is an ideal day for the new drivers to practice your driving but rarely happens because of the belief that these days should be spend peacefully in the house. TV shows and radios nationwide either stay off the air or shows only religious theme like the "Seven Last Words" and other solemn shows.
On Maundy Thursday, "Church Visit" or "Visita Iglesia" is a very popular a tradition among the devotees where in they visit seven different churches as part of their"Panata". There is also the last Mass called the Mass of the Institution of the Lord's Supper.
On Good Friday there is a solemn street processions called the Way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' Seven last words and a Passion play called the "Senakulo".
Black Saturday is the day when Christ's body lay in His Tomb. This is last day of Holy week is traditionally observed with silence and solemnity in preparation for the Easter Vigil to be celebrated later at night time.
I am away from the Philippines for more almost 10 years now and never had the chance to celebrate it with my family. As Christian, I pray that people reflect on their sins everyday not only during Holy Week.
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