Lenten Season In The Philippines: 10 Interesting Things To See and Do

1. Visita iglesia: seven churches in Metro Manila

Visita iglesia is Spanish for church visitation. This Roman Catholic practice is done during Maundy Thursday until the morning of Good Friday. It requires people to visit seven churches within that short period of time. Usually done after the celebration of the Last Supper on the evening of Maundy Thursday, people need to visit the churches and pray to the Blessed Sacrament in each of the churches. In some cases, people also go through all the stations of the cross in the church during the visit.

The visita iglesia in Metro Manila will not only give you a glimpse of religious practice in the Philippines, but will also bring you back in time as most of the churches you will visit are centuries-old churches. It is recommended that you start your first leg in the old quarter of Manila. You can start with the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church, which are found within the Intramuros area, then move to Sta. Ana, Church and Binondo Church. You can then move to Malate Church located near Roxas Boulevard and San Sebastian Church in Quiapo. Your final stop can be the Guadalupe Viejo Church in Makati City. It is best you arrange for a private vehicle to take you around. For the more adventurous, there are online guides on how to take public transport to these churches.

Nuestra Senora De Gracia Parish (Guadalupe Church)

Address: 7440 Bernardino Street, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

2. Moriones Festival in Marinduque

The Moriones Festival in the province of Marinduque is named after the main characters in this Lenten Festival, the Moriones. These are the men and women dressed as Roman soldiers and wearing morion masks to give the fierce look of these soldiers who accompanied the march of Jesus Christ before the Crucifixion. The festival starts on Holy Monday, where moriones usually roam the streets in search for another soldier, Longinus, who was said to be blind in one eye. Longinus is also the same soldier who pierced Jesus on his side while he was on the cross. One of the festival’s main events is the Via Crucis, a reenactment of the suffering of Jesus while he was walking to Calvary, which culminates in the actual crucifixion. Some of the Moriones who join the walk may whip their backs or carry crosses as a form of penitence.

To reach Marinduque, ride an overnight bus from Manila on the JAC Liner. Daily trips usually leave the Cubao or Buendia stations before 6 pm. The bus takes you to Dalahican Port, Lucena and then you need to get on a ferry that takes you to Marinduque. From the port in Marinduque, jeepneys can take you to the capital town, Boac. The estimated travel time from Manila to Marinduque is approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Moriones Festival

Address: Boac, Marinduque

Facebook: Moriones Festival

3. Reenactment of the Crucifixion, San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga

San Pedro Cutud, a village in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga hosts a yearly reenactment of the passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. According to reports, the practice started in the 1950s but has never been endorsed or recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Before the Crucifixion itself, there is a passion play, which basically relives the suffering of Christ in the hands of the soldiers. The event starts at 12 noon and culminates at around 3:00 pm, which is said to be the time of Jesus’ death. The crucifixion takes place on a hill in the middle of the rice fields and usually involves three penitents who are actually nailed to the three crosses. Oftentimes, the same penitents play the crucified Christ and two others, which they say is how they atone for the sins they have committed. Other penitents, who use bamboo whips to flagellate themselves.

To reach the village, take a bus to San Fernando City from Manila. Several bus companies, such as Five Star Bus and Genesis Bus, travel this route from their terminals in Quezon City. Upon reaching SM City San Fernando, take a jeepney to Palengke, San Fernando town. From there, you can ride a tricycle to the village.

Maleldo (Reenactment of the Crucifixion) San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga

Address: San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando City, Pampanga

Website: San Fernando City Government Tourism Office

4. Centurion Festival in General Luna, Quezon

This festival is similar to the Moriones Festival in Marinduque because it also features flamboyantly dressed men and women who pose as centurions or the Roman soldiers that flanked Jesus during the way of the cross. Like the Moriones, this also runs for one whole week, where the centurions roam the town. On Good Friday, they also reenact the Via Crucis. There is debate surrounding the claims that this festival was where the Moriones Festival originated.

This offers a nearer option for Moriones Festivals to visit, as one only needs to take a four hour bus trip to Lucena Grand Terminal. From the terminal, take another bus to General Luna town center.

5. Kapiya display and Pasyon singing in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

In the town of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, which is located in central Philippines, a unique Lenten tradition is practiced every year. Tableaus, locally called kapiya, are made by local groups and they depict the scenes in the 14 Stations of the Cross. Made of locally sourced materials, every year the best kapiya is chosen and wins a prize. The kapiyas are placed in strategic locations, usually along the procession route. Aside from this, the town also holds a unique singing contest, but instead of modern songs, they sing the traditional Pasyon or Passion of Christ, the Philippine epic narrative of Christ’s suffering.

The new Iloilo International Airport is now located in Sta. Barbara town, which is about 30 minutes from the provincial capital of Iloilo City. So getting to Sta. Barbara is easy from the airport. There are daily flights to Iloilo and from the airport, there are jeepneys that can take you the town center. of Sta. Barbara.

Kapiya sa. Sta. Barbara

Address: Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

Website: Kapiya sa. Sta. Barbara

6. Ang Pagtaltal in Guimaras, Iloilo

Pagtaltal literally means “to remove” and signifies the act of removing the body of Christ from the cross and giving him to his mother, Mary. The Pagtaltal in the town of Jordan, Guimaras Island is a three-hour street play that is held at the municipal hall. The play, which has been running for the past 40 years or so is based on the German passion play, the Oberammergau. Like most Lenten plays, it tells the story of Christ from his entrance into Jerusalem, to his crucifixion. In the case of the Pagtaltal, the first part of the play is held in the town center, and then continued in on a hill where the crucifixion is performed.

Guimaras Island is an island off the coast of Iloilo Province. To get here, you can fly to Iloilo from Manila. When in the city, you can take a taxi to Parola Wharf or Ortiz Wharf. From here, you can take any of the motorized boats to the island — the ride is only 15 to 20 minutes.

Ang Pagtaltal Sa Guimaras

Address: Jordan, Guimaras

Facebook: Provincial Government of Guimaras

7. Ang Panaad in Camiguin Island

Panaad is a local term that means “a walk of penitence.” If you want to experience first hand how it feels to be a penitent, the Panaad in Camiguin island is the place for you. You will join thousands of devotees as you walk the 70 kilometer (43.5 mi) road around the island as a form of penitence on Good Friday. You may also climb the Walkway of the Stations of the Cross, which goes up Mount Vulcan. Here you will see life-size statues depicting the scenes of the passion of Christ. Another must-see is the Sunken Cemetery, which is marked by a big cross in the middle of the sea. This area was submerged in water after Mount Vulcan erupted in 1871.

There are daily flights to Camiguin from Cebu. This is the recommended transport option as land travel may be a bit tedious because of the distance of the other airports.

Ang Panaad

Address: Camiguin Island

Website: Tourism Office of Camiguin

8. Procession of the Saints in Baliuag, Bulacan

In the town of Baliuag, Bulacan, which is the province adjacent to Metro Manila, a grand procession of elegantly garbed saints happens every Holy Wednesday. The yearly procession features lit floats, some with tableaus of the life and passion of Christ and others of saints. The parade starts at 6:00 pm and takes place near the town center. This procession is one of the many proofs that religion is such an important part of Philippine culture.

Baliuag is only 49.7 kilometers (30.8 mi) north of Manila, which is about 1 and half hour by private car. If you want to take public transport, there are buses that travel the Manila-Baliuag route such as Baliuag Transit.

Procession Of Saints in Baliuag

Address: Baliuag, Bulacan

Website: Bulacan Tourism Office

9. 3,003 steps of Linabo Peak, Dipolog City

Dipolog City is a city in Zamboanga del Norte. During the Lenten Season, the city receives many visitors because of its Katkat Sakripisyo, which is another form of penance. This penance however will require you to climb over 3,000 steps up Linabo Peak, which can be quite a workout. You can however take your time or maybe just take the first half of the climb. Linabo Peak also has 14 stations of the cross. If you are brave enough to reach the peak, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the city.

There are daily flights from Manila to Dipolog City via two commercial airlines. Located about 5 to 6 kilometers (3.1 to 3.7 mi) from the city proper, it is a short ride away.

3,003 Steps of Linabo Peak

Address: Lower Dicayas, Dipolog City

Website: Linabo Peak

10. Salubong on Easter Sunday at Manila Cathedral

On the evening of Black Saturday, churches usually organize an Easter Vigil, locally called Salubong. This celebration marks the end of Lent. After the vigil mass, a procession is held at dawn where a little girl dressed up as angel meets the image of the Virgin Mary and takes off the black veil. This is then replaced with a white veil, signifying the resurrection of Christ. Some of the grand Easter vigils are organized by the big churches in Manila, such as the Manila Cathedral. The vigil usually starts after sunset on Holy Saturday. Manila Cathedral is located at Sto. Tomas, Intramuros.

Manila Cathedral

Address: Cabildo corner Beaterio Streets, Intramuros, Manila

Facebook: Manila Cathedral

Come and spend a more meaningful Lent in the Philippines

With these interesting things to do during the Lenten Season, you can choose to make your vacation more meaningful. Even if you are not a religious person, these activities may help you slow down and get a fresh perspective.