Age-old Lenten traditions that have been passed through generations continue in Rizal Province.
In Cardona and Binangonan towns, taking care of the "santos" or religious images of the Lenten Season has become part of the Holy Week traditions among families in this part of the province.
Making sure that statues are well-dressed and their "carroza" or floats adorned with fresh flowers during Holy Wednesday and Good Friday processions is part of the ritual of the images' owners in these two municipalities.
(Photo by Nel Andrade)
For Irenea Campo, a senior citizen from Barangay Real in Cardona, Rizal, taking care of the 25-year-old image of the “Inang Nag-iisa” (Mother in Solitude) has been passed on to his son, ensuring that everything from its crown, accessories to gown are all ready for the two-day procession.
Campo said her Mother Mary’s statue is being prepared for the Holy Week “pabasa” (the Lenten reading of the passion and death of Jesus Christ) prior to the Holy Wednesday and Good Friday processions. Those who participate in the "pabasa" are being offered food and drinks during the duration of the ritual.
In Binangonan, prominent families are mostly the owners of the antique statues that are showcased in the Holy Wednesday and Good Friday procession in the town proper.
During the Good Friday procession, the statue of the Dead Christ is the subject of the religious activity known as “Gewang-gewang” wherein the image of Christ in a glass-encased carroza is being pushed and pulled by devotees towards the direction where they would want it to go.
(Screen 'grab from the video of Pamahalaang Bayan ng Binangonan's Facebook page)
As part of the observance of Black Saturday, some of the churches in the province have prepared makeshift tombs for the Santo Entierro (Dead Christ) mostly inside the churches, where the parishioners can visit and pray at.
Easter vigil and Easter Sunday’s “Salubong” or the re-enacting of the meeting of the Risen Christ and the Weeping Mary are part of the tradition among residents in Rizal.
Each of the towns has its own way of celebrating Easter Sunday, making the tradition unique from each other.
In Angono, residents wake up for the “Salubong” ritual to witness the removal of the black veil from the image of the Mater Dolorosa (Sorrowful Mother) by a young girl who comes out of a huge flower hanging above the statue of the grieving Mary.
It is followed by the "Pagbati" dance (greeting dance) by two ladies known as “kapitana” and “tenyenta”.
In Antipolo, the parishioners make sure that they attend the Good Friday procession from start to finish.
