The Lenten season is a time for many Filipinos to not only meditate on Christ’s sacrifices but also to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season. Holy Week is one of the Philippines’ longest and most anticipated holidays. Thus, picking where to celebrate it is a source of great excitement. This year, Semana Santa will take place starting Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, until Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.
We’ve got you covered if you’re worried about not having a strategy in place for Lent this year. There are lots of activities to enjoy whether you stay in Metro Manila or travel abroad. Search for the best Visita Iglesia destinations using your high-speed internet. Check out these options if you’re looking for a popular holy week destination to spend Holy Week this year.
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Preparations before the start of Holy Week
Planning is the first part of the preparation for the Holy Week celebrations. First, you must plan the destinations and activities that you will do before the Holy Week starts. During this phase, you can also feel much excitement in planning your Holy Week activities.
You can start by searching for several churches that are near your location with your fiber internet for home. As it is considered an important week in the Philippines, it is best to be prepared in advance.
Celebrate Palm Sunday within the Metro
The first day of Holy Week is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival into Jerusalem, which is recounted in all four canonical Gospels. Jesus rode a donkey, entering Jerusalem while the people are waving palm branches welcoming Him. If you are from Metro Manila, you can celebrate this event at the churches near you, such as the Manila Cathedral, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or the Quiapo Church.
Where to go on Holy Monday?
It is best to visit the island province of Marinduque on Holy Monday, as it is the start of the celebration of one of the most anticipated festivals in the country, the Moriones Festival. Its celebration is during the Holy Week.
The “Moriones” are men and women dressed in costumes and masks based on local interpretations of blind Roman centurion or biblical Imperial and Royal Roman troops. Other festivals in the Philippines have been inspired by the Moriones tradition, where cultural traditions have been transformed into street celebrations.
Holy Tuesday Destination
On Holy Tuesday, Siquijor is an excellent choice for those looking to completely unwind this Holy Week. Siquijor has a long history of being a fascinating place, and the scenery of the island province is no exception.
The Healing Festival on the island perfectly aligns with Holy Week, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the entire family. The Healing Festival is a four-day event that includes church services, holy treks, and even healing sessions.
Perfect Holy Wednesday Spot
Holy Wednesday is the third day of Holy Week. Batan Islands are the perfect destination for this day. In Batan, the Visita Iglesia might begin with a visit to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Basco, the province’s first Catholic church.
Next is the Chawa Cave, which is famous to be an enchanted place. It has a natural salt bed and a mouth that opens into the South China Sea. You may also reach this via the boulders of Mahatao’s Chawa Point. Basco is around 4 kilometers away from this cave.
Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday
Thousands of Filipinos, including yourself, may participate in Visita Iglesia during Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, you can visit and pray in at least seven different churches as part of the Visita Iglesia. This represents the fourteen stations of Christ’s passion. There are a lot of notable and historical churches outside of Metro Manila that you should consider seeing on your Visita Iglesia. They all have beautiful designs and will make your trip a memorable one.
During this time is also the celebration of the Last Supper. It is the first celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Many churches celebrate this by doing a reenactment of this most Holy scene spearheaded by the priest and different representations of apostles from different walks of life
Good Friday Processions and Events
During Good Friday, there is an occasion happening in one of the cities in Pampanga. The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites are a Holy Week re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and Death held in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga. It features a passionate play that culminates in at least three penitents being nailed to a wooden cross atop the makeshift Calvary.
Also, during this day, a dozen or so penitents are taken to a rice field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, 3 km from the city proper of San Fernando, Pampanga, and nailed to a cross with two-inch stainless steel nails that have been soaked in alcohol for disinfection purposes. When the penitents feel free of their sins, they are taken down. Others use bamboo sticks linked to a rope to flagellate themselves.
Places to go on Black Saturday
During the Semana Santa, especially on Black Saturday, the devout Catholics really invests in visiting different holy places. Another great destination at this time is the Simala Church in Cebu. It is considered one of the prettiest churches in the country as it is created to look like a castle. It is a temple devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are steps where you can do the Stations of the Cross, signifying the sacrifices of Christ on His passion.
The Joyous Celebration of Easter Sunday
Of all the days of the Holy Week, Easter Sunday is one of the most significant. It is because the celebration here is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Easter Day, it is when Jesus rises from His Death.
You can visit once again the destinations on this list as they have different joyous celebrations this time. The Manila Cathedral, Quiapo Church, or even those outside the Metro, like the Simala Church, Immaculate Conception Church, and many more, are celebrating one event, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the center of this season
The real reason why we celebrate this season is because of the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ. These events lead us to redemption from our sins. It is not just the religious images that signify this season, but our devotions.
Enjoy and find more destinations with your high-speed internet at home
Holy Week is one of the celebrations that the Filipinos are really looking forward to. As a Christian dominant country, it is part of our culture and traditions. We are really excited that starting from Ash Wednesday, we are already searching and preparing for our destinations and activities for this week using our unlimited fiber internet for home.
Streamtech is the newest wave of fiber internet in the Philippines. We have a variety of home internet plans to choose from. Indeed, you won’t have to worry about searching for your Holy Week destination or even booking your accommodation.
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