Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Holy Week: The Filipino Way

It seems like an ordinary week here in New York. People walking fast. Tourists going around the city. Professionals going to work.

But it's the Holy Week...

I'm in a senti mood now. I've been here in NY six months already. I miss home. I miss my family and friends. I miss my loved one. And now that it's Holy Week, I miss the Philippines more. There will be no procession on Good Friday. No water and light blessing on Black Saturday. No washing of the feet. But most of all, no 'salubong' on Easter Sunday. Waaaaahhh!!!

As a kid, Holy Week is a major highlight. That is when me and my cousins go to mass every Thursday and to see that washing of the feet. And we sing our own version of the 'baho ang mga tiil' song. We're so bad!!! It's the time when the priest removes the socks and the choir sing the 'washing of the feet' song. Thus we made our own lyrics. We also want to see who is JUDAS ISCARIOT among the chosen people who play the disciples. On Good Friday, we join the procession around the town. When I was young, I always want to be at the back of the statue of VERONICA during processions. I don't know why. But I'm fascinated with how beautiful she is and with the face of Jesus on the cloth. My cousins also joke around our aunts and uncles if they make a short cut. Instead of going all they way to Luyong Bonbon for the procession, they cut their way in Bebe Bito's house and go back to church. hahaha! And at the end of the procession, we have our BINIGNIT!!!! We also kiss the crucifix during Good Friday Mass.

But the highlight of the Holy Week is the Easter Sunday. It was my childhood frustration to be a singin angel during the Salubong at dawn. I haven't missed one Salubong. Even if I was in Manila then, I never failed to call my cousin during the singing time just to hear the angels sing 'Reyna sa Langit Maglipay'. Now that I'm here in New York, I'm still calling my cousin just to listen the angels sing. I already texted here earlier that I'd be calling her for the event. hahaha!!!

Im taking a leave on Thursday and Friday to hear mass and probably visit different churches around New York.

I wish I was home at this time of the year...

jory 2:42 AM
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