Latest posts from our Manila expert:
Holy Holy Week: Part Three
Moriones Festival
Legend has it that Longinos pierced the side of the crucified Christ. The blood that spurted forth touched his blind eye and fully restored his sight, converting him to Christianity. Marinduque celebrates this with a week long Mardi Gras kind festival held in the plazas of Boac and Gasan. The whole town comes together and puts on a pageant where they bring to life the beheading of Longinos. People dress up as Roman soldiers and wear masks with Roman helmets pretending to search the town for Longinos.
Senakulo
In many parts of Philippines like Manila, San Fernando in Pampanga Province, and Antipolo, the sufferings and death of Christ in the Cross are reenacted on Good Friday. In Mexico, Pampanga and also Dinalupihan in Bataan there are people who actually nail themselves to a cross for his "crucifixion" recreating the suffering of Christ's passion for a few minutes. You can also catch a less violent version at the Philippine Cultural Center. Though not as freakishly authentic, the senakulo here is performed by popular movie stars.
Salubong
At the end of Holy week, commonly called the Linggo ng Pagkabuhay or Dia de Pascua on Easter Sunday, masses and processions are held. Easter morning is marked with joyous celebration, beginning with the dawn mass called the Salubong (meeting), wherein statues of the Resurrected Christ and the Virgin Mary, along with other saints such as St. Peter and Mary Magdalene, are brought in procession together to meet. This is an ode to the first reunion of Jesus and his mother Mary after the Resurrection.