Rough Groove

Semana Santa: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa

Continued from yesterday…

Left, one of the palaspas design that I saw in Tayabas, along the road, being sold.

Right, After the palms are blessed, most people place it either in their home altars or on windows (as in the photo above) and/or doors, a common practice with Filipino Catholics. Reasons range from for blessing while the superstitious, to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. I also heard stories that some, especially faith healers will burn these blessed palms and incorporate the ashes in their folk medicine practice. These palms on doors and windows can last a year or until it is replaced by a newer blessed palm.

Pabasa

The Pabasa (literally, a reading) is one of the must do activities during Semana Santa or in Lent. This poetic rendition of the life, passion and resurrection of Christ is done by many Catholic communities around the country and can start as early as the first few days of Lent. In some places like in Lucban, it commences on Palm Sunday. Still, others do this on Maundy Thursday and marathon readings are done until noon of Friday, non-stop.
The first Tagalog version of the Pasyon ni Kristo came out in 1704 by Gaspar Aquino de Belen. It proved to be so popular that a fifth edition was done. Around 1840, anonymous and illicit versions came out that became a headache with the Spanish clergy as these contained “heresies” but was later corrected. It should be noted that during the Spanish colonization, the Pabasa became so popular that these were even read during festivals, courtship and death, even outside that of the usual holy season that is Lent. One of the possible reasons put forward by scholars was that, the ancient Filipinos have local epics depicting the exploits of their heroes. It also tells of their deaths and eventual coming back to life. When the Spaniards introduced Christianity, these old epics were abolished but the introduction of the Pasyon became a replacement as it also tells the story of Christ’s life, his death and resurrection.

Sunday afternoon in Lucban and several tables are assembled in the side streets outside the houses. Covered in white linen and with similarly white plastic chairs under a portable canopy, families, friends and lovers congregate and start the Pabasa. Microphones are hung or placed on tables connected to a karaoke system. While I was expecting a more mournful and lamenting hymn, I was just shocked and amused that their rendition of the Pasyon is set with lively music! It sounded like there was a feast. In one house, it even featured a hiphop tune as background music! And yet in another, the owner of the Buddy’s fastfood chain, other than the blaring music with complete soundsystem, dancing lights add to the lively atmosphere.
I remember that way back in Cebu, Holy Week afternoons were often punctuacted with the eerie hymns of the Pabasa which were usually done by old women in some archaic style of singing more like a lamentation. The same in Maragondon, Cavite. But in Lucban? Its quiet lively! I just have a feeling that purists will surely object.

Children and lovers (above,?) converge and sing the Pasyon.

What I have noticed in Lucban, and this is a good thing, is the participation of family and friends. Children and their close pals actively participate in this lenten ritual. This may help explain why popular music is used unlike in other areas where it is solely the domain of old women singing archaic hymns.

Related posts:

Series 31: Semana Santa 06
Semana Santa 06: Santo Señor Sepulcro
Semana Santa 06: Dressing the Santo Señor Sepulcro
Semana Santa 06: Domingo de Ramos, 1
Semana Santa 06: Via Crucis
Semana Santa 06: Senakulo
Semana Santa 06: Flagellants
Semana Santa 06: Paete and Pakil processions
Semana Santa 06: Maundy Thursday
Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1