Rough Groove

Crucifixion at Penitencia at Pampanga, Philippines

Crucifixion at Penitencia at Pampanga, Philippines

Originally uploaded by btobin.

Saw this pic at the Semana Santa Filipinas group from Flickr. I was just so struck by this image. The agonies that the crucified man is undergoing and how the people, the media are scrambling over to get closer, grabbing a shot, taking footage that one begs to ask for an answer, “is this for tradition or for entertainment?”

A very powerful image!

Ash Wednesday

The 40 day Lenten season starts today with Catholics observing Ash Wednesday. I remember when I was still in elementary that during this time, we have a break from class, go to the nearby Basilica del Sto. Nino, hear mass and have the priest put ash, in the sign of the cross, on our foreheads: Remember that from ash you came, to ash you shall return. And that means that today and every Friday of Lent, there will be abstention from meat except fish. Now, I’m no longer observing this one. I’m just looking forward to covering Holy Week in some remote place this coming April.

Above, Bessie had just come from the lobby of the building where an Ash Wednesday mass was just held. Most of my officemates here have this one.

Good Friday Rituals

From the original plan of spending my Holy Week at Iloilo because of the beautiful baroque churches there to going to Palo, Leyte for the hooded penitents to Siquijor because I’ve not yet gone to that island and its churches are also beautiful to Boljoon, Cebu. Because of some reasons or another, I was left with no option but to spend it and do some photography work in our place here in Talisay and in the southern municipalities.

So yesterday, at around 1000H, I was in Talisay. After lunch, went to Naga but with my camera and proximity of the church, taking photos of the facade is not just possible without including some distracting elements (another reason to upgrade to a DSLR). I then proceeded to Carcar where one of Cebu province’s beautiful churches is found. Then went to Sibonga. I would have wanted to photograph the procession there but instead, went to Ocana, Carcar, where a small church is located. Took some pictures and proceeded immediately back to Carcar, enough time before the procession started and late afternoon light started to fade.

Photos also posted at FLICKR

Via Crucis (left) and covered crucifix (right)
Poblacion, Talisay City, Cebu

Waiting for the procession to start, Carcar, Cebu (left) and boy reenacting Christ’s passion along a side street, Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu (right)

Bringing the carroza to the church (left) and Sacristans and the Santo Intierro
Sibonga, Cebu