Every Good Friday, processions of religious images depicting Jesus Christ’s passion, crucifixion, death and burial are held in cities and provinces across the country.
Here’s where to catch them.
San Pablo City, Laguna
Beautifully decorated carrozas, including the famous Mother of Sorrows or Mater Dolorosa will parade through town starting at 5 p.m. There will also be a funeral coach bearing the statue of a dead Christ.
“These are the traditional santos and carrozas and all the razzmatazz old-world rituals,” said historical researcher Augusto “Toto” Gonzalez III.
Don Ado Escudero will lead and orchestrate 67 grand carrozas this year that will navigate the streets of San Pablo. The procession will end at 8:30 p.m.
“Our ceremonies are done the old Spanish style—solemn but meaningful,” said Escudero.
Baliuag, Bulacan
Over 100 images will be paraded through the streets of Baliuag, Bulacan, after sunset, for the Prusisyon ng mga Santo. Giant floats will carry life-sized dioramas narrating scenes in the life of Jesus. “This is sheer Las Vegas flash and dash in immense tableaux, marching bands, factory-sized generators,” said Gonzalez.
Quiapo, Manila
The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) in Quiapo, Manila, commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ before close to a million Catholic devotees, among them followers of the Black Nazarene in Mt. Banahaw.
The Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) will be observed, followed by a procession of the Santo Entierro with the Mater Dolorosa, and the start of the Pahalik sa Krus.
Pila, Laguna
The charming town of Pila is a destination on its own. In the town center stands a Philippine baroque church built during the Spanish period. On Good Friday, only about 10 carozzas are paraded through the town streets.
“It’s simple but very beautiful; charming but not grand,” said Cora Relova, one of the founders of the Pila Historical Society Foundation.
Paete, Laguna
Tourists flock to Paete, Laguna, during the Lenten season to witness the excellent craftsmanship of its religious images. For five days leading to Good Friday, devotees kiss the 16th-century statue of the dead body of Christ or the Señor Sepulkro.
A parade of “moving saints” draws tourists to this small town.
“Kumakaway ang images. This is not the biggest or grandest of processions, but it is very solemn and traditional,” said Relova.
Poblacion, Makati
“Kubols” or “calvarios,” makeshift altars for the annual pabasa, are set up by residents.
There will be a parade of floats depicting the Stations of the Cross on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, escorted mostly by barefoot devotees.
The procession will culminate at the early 17th-century Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church. This is said to be the longest Lenten procession in Metro Manila, where about 30 massive carriages with life-sized dioramas of Jesus’ life are paraded.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
It can’t get any more picturesque than this, said Gonzalez, with 19th-century santos and carrozas in a 19th-century town. The procession starts at Vigan Cathedral, where carrozas bearing life-sized statues emerge one by one, minutes apart, followed by their respective devotees. The locals are very passionate about this tradition, such that every Good Friday the city attracts a lot of people from nearby towns.
