Rough Groove

Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1

Early Good Friday in Lucban, Quezon and I was already at the church looking for something to photograph. While inside, a group of men carrying a body wrapped in brown cloth came in. At first I thought it was a dead man as the arms were moving, bouncing up and down as the men brisk walked. Then I realized that iIts the image of the crucified Christ sans the cross! This was one of those unexpected moments. I didn’t anticipate this but luckily, I was at the right place at the right time.

After laying the image on top of the altar, they came out and moments later, they were now carrying the cross. When the reached infront of the altar, they then setup the cross, took the image and placed it carefully. The hands and feet were slowly put into place with the “nails” until it was in position. After this was done, the cross, now with the image, was borne and raised up and secured.

1500H, coinciding the time that Christ was said to have died, the same men, now dressed in white robes came forward while the faithful were already in the church. Slowly, the marched to the altar and slowly came up to the cross. They then patiently took the “nails” and slowly took down the image, placed it on a white cloth, wrapped it and then took the image to the sacristy. They then went out, came up to the cross, unmounted it and then carried it to the back of the church.

The image of the Christ, this one with movable arms is carried inside the church and placed on the altar. The men carrying the image then went back and carried the cross.

After the cross was lain down, they took the image and put it into place secured by “nails.” Once done, it was then raised up.

1500H and the men who prepared the image earlier in the morning came back, now dressed in white robes. They then slowly unmounted the image.

The image was then wrapped and placed it in the sacristy. The cross was then carried to the back of the church.

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: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa
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: Paete and Pakil processions

Holy Wednesday and office hours was only until noon. Good thing so that those who will be going home to the provinces had ample time to prepare. Me on the other hand was dashing back to the condo to gather my things and camera and went to the Buendia LRT station to catch a bus going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna for the procession in Paete. Expectedly, the bus was full but I was still able to get a seat.

1600H and I was already at Paete. I met with Jayson Macea and his friends who were already at the church. When I entered, I was just amazed at the number and variety of the carrozas (carriages) bearing the different images for the Lenten procession. Life sized images, beautifully garbed and lifelike, new or antique. Paete is famous for its carvers. Most people from the surrounding provinces often go to this area to have their santo/imahen carved or repaired. This is also the place where the master builder of the beautiful church of Morong in Rizal province comes from. Well Holy Wednesday and Good Friday in Laguna are traditional days for processions. In my hometown, it was usually Tuesday and Friday. In Lucban, it was just recently that the procession is limited on Good Friday. Probably a boon to families owning the processional images since they will only be doing a single expense instead of for two processions.

The procession at Paete would still start at 1900H and we can’t just wait for it since we’ll still be going to Lucban and have to catch the last minibus for the trip. Anyway, after admiring and taking photos of the images of Paete, we went to Pakil. The images there are quite small but it was here that I was able to catch a view of flagellants. We didn’t linger much and immediately went to Pagsanjan to catch the minibus. Along the way, various towns like also had there procession.

In Paete, Laguna.

Left, the Mater Dolorosa, an antique image which was carved in 1882 by the famed Paeteno, Mariano Madrinan. Right, the Veronica image carved in 1883 by Clemente Cadomigara. What’s interesting about this image is that this has movable hands that are controlled under the carroza.

Left, the impressive carrozas occupying all the space in the church of Paete. One has a feeling of going around an exhibit while walking along the images. There were more than 50 images for the procession.

Right, the two carrozas in Pagsanjan after the procession placed inside the church.

In Pakil, Laguna.

Left, the Last Supper carroza. I was just amused since the table was laden with candies, liquor and miniature beer

Right, the Mater Dolorosa during the procession.

Still in Pakil, left, the “apostles” joining in the procession and, right, an image of Mary Magdalene placed in front of a house.

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: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa
Semana Santa 06: Via Crucis
Semana Santa 06: Senakulo
Semana Santa 06: Flagellants
Semana Santa 06: Maundy Thursday
Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1

Semana Santa 06: Flagellants

One of the familiar scenes during Holy Week, as far as South and Central Luzon provinces are concerned (Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Tarlac, Pampanga and Quezon), are the presence of flagellants. I’ve always wanted to document this one and unfortunately, it is not present in Lucban. My original plan was to go to Kalayaan, Laguna by the morning of Good Friday and do the photo documentation. It was still Holy Wednesday that we (with Jason Maceo and his friends) went to Paete to witness the resplendent carrozas there. A side trip was also done in Pakil where I first witnessed the group of men flagellating themselves following the procession.

It’s usually the men who do these as a means of penitence, to fulfill a panata (obligation or promise) or to ask for favors from the above. The practices are the same for the provinces mentioned except that they differ in the way they are dressed and means of flagellations. I have only observed first hand those from Laguna and compared to the other provinces (based on books and video), the men are dressed in skirts à to dress like a woman and humiliate their being macho men. The skirts can take the form of dried banana leaves and some men cover it with a woman’s dress. The head is always covered but unlike those in the other provinces, it can take the form of plastic masks or cloth with holes for the eyes and some with a few coconut leaves formed into a crown with a few flowers on their head. The means of flagellating is usually made of thick wooden rods (Kalayaan and Pakil municipalities in Laguna while, as I was told, in Siniloan, another municipality in Laguna uses steel rods) around 6 – 7 inches in length bound together with a rope and the number corresponds to the number of years that the person will do the flagellation. The wounds are induced. A sharp blade cuts the flesh at the back (the men are clothed with the back cut to expose the skin). Once this is done, they then follow the procession, flinging the rods right and left as blood starts to flow. From time to time, these group of men stop, one gets down on the ground, lying on his back and an assistant (also the one who induces the wounds), strikes his back and cuts. Once done, a pail is at hand to cleanse the rods from the blood and his wounds are also wiped clean. The blade is again used to make a fresh cut. After a while, the pail of water just turns red.

Its very ghastly and not for the faint of heart. Its very brutal and then, this is the men’s belief. For them, the sacrifice is worth the forgiveness and favors that they will receive. However, being amidst this group, the sound of the rods hitting the back, the somewhat wavy movements left and right the men make is something that can make a lasting impression on you.

A side note though, Maundy Thursday, after seeing some flagellants in Kalayaan while I was on my way to Pakil, I decided to eventually go to Infanta, Quezon, about 2 hours away by bus from Siniloan. I was hoping to catch the group of flagellants there since in that area, instead of simple hoods and crowns, they have elaborate head gear made from leaves and flowers with a small image of a saint on the top, as what I’ve read in the book Cuaresma. Unfortunately, I was told that it only happens early morning of Good Friday which is just impossible for me to do. Maybe next year.

Left, the group of flagellants in Pakil, Laguna wearing skirts made of dried banana leaves while the head is covered. Right, the wounds are induced on a penitent with a blade done by an assistant.

Left, the pail of water is used to collectively clean the wounds and the wooden rods stained with blood of the flagellants. Eventually, it becomes red. Right, a flagellant goes down while his assistant hits his wounded back.

Left, the thick wooden rods that the flagellants use to strike their back. Right, a woman’s shirt worn with the back cut to expose the wounded skin still oozing with blood.

Just two of the flagellants that I’ve encountered. The one at the right is wearing a crown made from young coconut leaves.

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: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa
Semana Santa 06: Via Crucis
Semana Santa 06: Senakulo
Semana Santa 06: Paete and Pakil processions
Semana Santa 06: Maundy Thursday
Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1

Semana Santa 06: Senakulo

The Senakulo or Cenacle, the traditional play of Christ’s passion and death that is staple in most towns and cities during Holy Week. From town plazas, churchyards or in theatres, people gather to witness and meet friends, chat and sometimes ogle and cheer their friends and family playing a part. Not that the audience are very attentive, but the story is quite familiar and usually their there for the sake of having fun.
After a physical training in preparation for my climb in Mt. Amuyao, I went back home in Makati and along the way, found that there was an ongoing senakulo. Curious as I’ve not yet witnessed one, I came closer and realized that this is a good photo opportunity. Thus, hurriedly went back home, took a shower and got my photo gear.

The Makati senakulo is done every year. However, as I was told, it used to be held along Evangelista St. but it was only this year that it was done at Washington St. Usually held weeklong from Saturday before Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, I was just there Tuesday and wasn’t able to come back to witness it again the following days as I was already in Lucban. The play is quite colorful with the costumes, props and stage setup and the lines are sung. I went backstage and took photos of the characters preparing for their part, dressing up, practicing a few lines, moving props while some are just having a snack of noodles or a stick of cigarette.

Good Friday, morning and there was not so much activity in Lucban. There are no traditional penitents along the streets that can be found in most towns in Laguna, Pampanga and Manila that can keep me busy that’s why I decided to go to Majayjay town and visit the beautiful and massive church their. The first time I visited that place, and it was just locked. This time, the doors were open and I was able to take photos. Wandering outside, I saw young people dressed for a Passion play and I came over, did some shots and left.

Left, the crowd that gathered at the end of Washington St. to witness the weeklong senakulo being held. The front row consists of the band members who do the live music and audience from all walks of life spilling outside the iron railings, chatting, cheering friends and family in the cast as well as just to have fun.

Right, the director of the play behind a prop dictating the lines to the characters delivering the lines.

Left, the Kristo in action. Right, at the backstage, the same Kristo is enjoying a good laugh and a stick of cigarette while waiting for his part.

Portraits of a soldier wearing a Roman soldier’s helmet made of papier mache and a youthful Kristo before a passion play in Majayjay, Laguna, Good Friday.

The Majayjay troupe in the thick of preparations for the passion play that will be held a few hours later.

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: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa
Semana Santa 06: Via Crucis
Semana Santa 06: Flagellants
Semana Santa 06: Paete and Pakil processions
Semana Santa 06: Maundy Thursday
Semana Santa 06: Good Friday, 1

Semana Santa 06: Via Crucis

In the afternoon of Palm Sunday, the Via Crucis is held in Lucban. Here, designated houses set up the 14 stations of the cross. From the simple shed type structure decorated with palm fronds to the more elaborate like cavelike simulations complete with lights!

Left, one of the simple structures built along the sidestreet. Right, sacristans who accompany the priest and deacon walk barefoot despite the intense heat of the cement road.

Left, at the first station, the priests conducts the prayers while the people follow through at the back. Right, the lone image of the Christ borne on the shoulders of the town’s men is paraded to each of the stations along the narrow streets of Lucban.

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: Domingo de Ramos, 2 and Pabasa
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