Holy Week brings the Philippines to a standstill every year, as Roman Catholic Filipinos (the majority in the country) take advantage of the four-day weekend that begins on Holy Thursday.
\nMost Filipinos in the cities pack up and leave for the provinces, leaving formerly bustling urban areas desolate for lack of people. But that doesn’t mean there’s nowhere to go and nothing to do.
\nPaete, Laguna: Holy Week Processions
\nIn the foothills of the Sierra Madre by the coast of Laguna de Bay, you can find the aptly named town of Paete, renowned for woodcarving and named after the paet (chisel).
\nIn Paete, Holy Week celebrations start on Palm Sunday with the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the Payakpak. This is a procession that begins at Ermita Chapel where the priest blesses palm fronds as they head to the beautiful church of Santiago de Apostol while religious women drape their shawls on the path of the priest as they make their way to mass.
\nIn the five days leading to Good Friday, hordes of people pay their respects to a centuries old wooden image of the Santo Sepulkro or the dead body of Christ by kissing his exposed hands and feet. On Holy Wednesday, this image is given a ritual bathing after which a pabasa (a singing of Christ’s life and passion) is held.
\nOn Holy Wednesday, 53 images depicting Christ’s passion are paraded on the streets of Paete in a procession called Salubong after the 6 PM mass. Some of these images are able to move, and do so in three crucial parts of the procession\u2014when Jesus meets Mary, when Veronica wipes the face of Jesus and when Veronica shows Mary the miraculous imprint of Christ’s face on the cloth.
\nOn Good Friday, the Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words of Christ) are recited until 3 P.M. after which the Santo Sepulkro is fetched by male devotees from the recamadero (the keeper of the image) for “burying” in church.
\nHow to get there: By car, the fastest would be through the Manila East Road. From Cainta Junction you will pass by the towns of Antipolo, Teresa and Morong then Tanay. After an hour and half of driving from there, winding mountain roads bring you to lakeshore towns of Mabitac, Panguil, Pakil and then Paete. Expect no traffic after Tanay and kilometers upon kilometers of scenic countryside.
\nBy bus, go to the bus terminals along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and look for air-conditioned buses headed to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. From Sta. Cruz, take a regular passenger jeepney to Paete.
\nSan Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga: Live Crucifixions
\nFor a colorful display of penitence on Good Friday, head to the town San Pedro Cutud where men have themselves actually nailed to a cross after reenacting the Via Crucis, a Kapampangan rendition of the passion play.
\nSee dozens of hooded flagellants walking around whom either are beating their bloody backs with bamboo floggers, crawling on dirt roads or bearing crosses. Be sure to bring a hat with you because all the action goes beyond noon. Not for those who hate the sight of blood.
\nBefore heading home, you may want to linger in San Fernando until evening for the Good Friday procession at the Assumption Cathedral.
\nHow to get there: By car, take the North Luzon Expressway exiting via San Fernando. This is where it gets tricky, you may have to ask for directions from the locals to get there.
\nThough there are no bus trips on Good Friday, you may try to leave a day earlier if you want to go there by bus. Take a bus headed for Olongapo at the Victory Liner Terminal at Pasay City or Cubao (Both are on EDSA). Get off the Victory Liner Terminal at San Fernando and from there you may take any jeep, tricycle or taxi going to San Pedro Cutud.
\nMarinduque Province: Moriones
\nFrom Holy Monday to Easter Sunday, don’t be surprised to find costumed men and women in Roman centurion masks parading the streets of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and Mogpog in Marinduque.
\nThese masked and costumed penitents are the Moriones and they’re re-enacting the story of Longinus, a half-blind centurion who converted to Christianity when his eyesight was fully restored after Christ’s blood spurted into his blind eye upon piercing his side. When the other centurions hear of his conversion, he is hunted down and beheaded.
\nManila: Visita Iglesia
\nIf you want to stay in the city during Lent, do as the locals do and try one of their favorite Holy Week rituals on a Maundy Thursday\u2014the Visita Iglesia, where they visit seven churches in a single evening.
\nhttp:\/\/goseasia.about.com\/od\/eventsfest5\/a\/phil_holy_week.htm<\/p>\n
Each year in February the Philippines hot air balloon festival returns to Clark Pampanga. Visitors planning to attend this popular event in Clark opt to stay in Clearwater Resort which is considered to be the best hotel in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays also. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Even during school breaks, families would take their children to enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Pampanga which is located quite near to Manila. <\/p>\n
Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.<\/p>\n
Where to stay in Clark, Philippines?<\/p>\n
Voted Best Hotel in Clark Pampanga, this beach resort is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is a place of leisure that is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle. <\/p>\n
Adding to the charm and attractiveness of this resort hotel in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. Clearwater is one of the best hotel in Clark and the resort is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga.<\/p>\n
Clearwater is generally regarded as is a place of leisure and the best private resort in Pampanga. This Clark hotel is the most frequently visited private resort outside Manila for corporate planning because of its exclusivity. <\/p>\n
Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.<\/p>\n
For reservations, comments and inquiries, <\/p>\n
Clearwater Resort & Country Club
\nCreekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
\nCentral Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
\nPampanga, Philippines 2023<\/p>\n
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177<\/p>\n
Manila Sales Office
\n3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
\nExchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
\n(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay<\/p>\n