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The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country. During the Holy Week, while a lot of people go to the beach, majority of the population still elect to observe tradition. One such community is in Makati City, the country’s premier business district.
"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35
The Makati poblacion (community/village) keeps the Lenten rituals alive through the Kalbaryo. You won’t find Easter Egg Hunts here (thank God!). What you will find are several structures (over 50 this year) called kalbaryo (calvary) representing scenes of Jesus’ suffering scattered throughout the community.
Each kalbaryo is painstakingly created by a particular organization—even people living under the Makati-Mandaluyong bridge are represented—with life-sized images, elaborate set designs, and of course, at least two readers who sing the pasyon (Passion of Christ).
That Holy Thursday night when we went around the poblacion, what struck me most was that of the number of people going around, praying and looking at each kalbaryo, a lot of them were young ones. It made me feel really glad that our traditions are kept alive, and that it would still be observed in the years to come.
There are more photos uploaded in Facebook, and you don’t need an account to access them.
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
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8 Comments. Leave new
@ Janet: Yes, I’m practicing! Really love my camera.
@ Lloyd: Go there next year, it should be fun 🙂
I’m from Makati, and yet I don’t know about this! :))
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
nice photo! learning the tricks of your new camera.
@ Red: Thanks. It frustrates me sometimes when Filipinos embrace foreign traditions. Like in urban areas, now they hold trick or treats on All Saints Day. I mean, why not just observe the Filipino tradition of honoring the dead instead of copying the Americans’ highly commercialized events?? Sigh.
@ Olan: I saw your pic of the foggy Buda. Nice one! I wish it would fog here even once. All we get is smog and the heat!
I am proud to say that i have done both… traveling and observing the lent season. 🙂 was at Buda (Davao-Bukidnon) and did my station of the cross. 🙂 after, went straight to the waterfalls of Epol. 🙂
That’s a great photo – and it fits so well with your post. It’s great that traditions are there for those who wish to follow them – it’d be sad to see them disappear through apathy.
Have a great Easter break!
@ Nicely, it’s still hit and miss. Haha. I hope I learn more about my (as yet unnamed) cam when I go to Pinatubo.
Nice pic! Nagamit mo na naman ang special skills mo sa pagbi-blur ng background 🙂 Hehehe!