Rough Groove

Wet Lent, in Infanta, Quezon

It’s rather unusual that this year’s Semana Santa is rather wet. Weather forecasters say that its because of the ITCZ or intertropical convergent zone currently affecting the country that’s bringing showers. Especially that I’m now in Infanta, Quezon and the weather seems gloomy.

What a tiring trip I had. The traffic from the Slex was not so good. When the bus reached Calamba and Los Banos, it was worse. Worst still when it was already approaching Sta. Cruz, Laguna that it came to a crawl. Anyway, from Sta. Cruz, I rode a jeepney to Siniloan and then another jeepney for a two hour ride to Infanta, crossing the back of the Sierra Madre to reach this Pacific side town.

Anyway, the reason I’m in this place was to document the flagellants. I have seen photos from the book Cuaresma and what differs the flagellants from the rest of the other places in South and Central Luzon is that these penitents wear a big hood made of flowers and leaves. A rather interesting practice. However, in conversations with two men early this afternoon, it seems that this practice is on the ebb. Well, I will know tomorrow if it is still present. I got to rise at 0400H as the flagellants starts at around that time.