Holy week in the Philippines I must say is one of the most bizarre in the world. We have all kinds of out-of-this-world traditions during the Holy Week. Having a predominantly catholic population, our celebration of the Lenten season has become part of our DNA I should say. I’m not catholic (im a Mormon) but I also take part in the observance of Holy week here in the Philippines in my own little way.
I could remember how we as a family would go to our grandparents place during Holy week. It’s an opportune time for us because the Holy Week coincides with the summer vacation (school’s out). Holy week was a great time for us to bond as a family. We kept this tradition during Holy Week until I was in college…
One of my fondest memories during those days was when my mom would tell me to be very careful not to get hurt during Holy Friday. She’d always say the wound won’t heal if I did… i later found out that wasn’t true at all… yet it was a very effective tactic to get a bouncy 10-year-old indoors. 
When I was in my 20th year, I had the opportunity to serve a mission for my church in the plains of central luzon. When I was assigned in Tarlac, what I saw there truly shocked the jitters out of me. It was the first time I witnessed people manifest their devotion during Holy Week by inflicting themselves in various ways! One day I was walking with my companion I could see someone walking carrying a huge cross on his back! Following him were 5-8 men whipping their own backs ’til they were bleeding… Ouch!
a man crucified with real nails
The Philippines is also famous for people imitating the crucifixion of Christ–litteraly. I just didn’t have the chance to witness one because my mission president didn’t allow us to.
There are indeed many ways on how to celebrate the Holy week in the Philippines. Whatever your preference, just remember the very essense of this season. We are celebrating the Holy week because of the Atonement of Christ and his eternal sacrifice that we might have life eternal.
So how about you? How do you celebrate Holy Week in the Philippines?
Click here to learn more philippine holy week traditions.
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good job! we all have our own way of celebrating the lenten season.
to all the people who crucify themselves or whip their backs thinking they’re gonna be cleansed of their sins, i think all of you are both stupid and ignorant…
i know i sound rude but all of you really are…
@ Jay, thanks for dropping by! We all have our ways of expressing our devotion to our God. These people really think that what they are doing is right. We know that they are not. Nonetheless, I believe that each human being has the right to worship how, where, or what they may…
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KattyBlackyard, thanks for the compliment. Glad to be of help!