Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay has invited individuals and families on “staycation” in Metro Manila to come and experience the sights and sounds of the city’s unique Lenten traditions.
Binay said that in Barangay Poblacion, the heritage district of Makati, the Holy Week is observed profoundly by the Catholic devotees, despite the city’s cosmopolitan image.
“Makati has retained religious traditions that form an indelible part of its history. We welcome visitors to come join us in various activities scheduled this Holy Week,” Binay said.
A total of 48 Kalbaryo have been put up around the city, mostly in Poblacion during the period. A Kalbaryo is a temporary chapel erected around the streets, where the faithful may chant the traditional Pasiong Mahal, also called Pabasa, or reflect on tableaus of Jesus’ passion and death. It is a devotion that dates back to the early 20th century and has persisted, amid the drive toward modernization.
The mayor, who is known for her Digital City initiatives, observes her panata (pledge) to visit the Kalbaryo along Poblacion during the season.
On Holy Monday a Senakulo Hesus Nazareno at Plaza Cristo Rey was held around 7 p.m. On Holy Tuesday a procession of the Black Nazarene will be held at 7 p.m.
At 9 a.m. on Holy Wednesday there will be a Celebration of Anointing of the Sick and the Elderly. On Good Friday the Procession of the Lord’s Burial will start at 6 p.m. and the traditional reenactment of the Salubong on the midnight of Saturday will be held on Poblacion Plaza.
The Holy Week celebration will close with an Easter Parade on the Plaza on Sunday at 3 p.m.
During the entire week, the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church will hold Masses at 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., except for Holy Thursday, when the Lord’s Supper Mass will be held at 5 p.m. The Easter Vigil Mass will be at 8 p.m. on Black Saturday.
The Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church was completed in 1620. The 398-year-old church is Makati’s oldest church and mother parish. It was built by the Jesuits in Baroque style using adobe stones, various Philippine hardwood and seashells. It is home to the images of Virgen de la Rosa and Santo Niño de Pasion, both unique to the locality.
Meanwhile, Museo ng Makati has also opened its doors from March 23 to 27 for the exhibit, entitled Primera Salida: New Infusions for Old Traditions, where Makati Lenten Practices are being showcased for free public viewing.
Earlier, the Museum and Cultural Affairs Office presented a mini-concert at Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, entitled Paniniwala: A Concert of Songs of Faith, led by the Philippine Opera Company Artists.
During the Holy Week, the city government is implementing a two-way traffic system along JP Rizal. Effective March 24 to April 1, JP Rizal Street will be on two-way traffic to give way to the number of Kalbaryo on inner roads and for scheduled daily processions.