Holy Week in Limay, Bataan

For me, there’s no other better place to stay during the Holy Week than in Bataan. I believe the Holy Week should be a time of reflection on Jesus’ sufferings, and not a time to enjoy the white beaches or the cool mountain breeze of Baguio and Tagaytay. Hence, it has been our tradition to go home to Bataan at this time of the year.
We were supposed to leave for Bataan on Holy Wednesday, but we had to make an important visit to my sister Marie in Cavite, so we have to leave the next day. We thought that this would also be an advantage since we would no longer be caught up with the traffic on the highway. We were expecting that those going home to the provinces already left in the afternoon of Holy Wednesday, since it was declared a half-day holiday.
On the contrary, traffic was still heavy even on the NLEX and the SCTEX, especially at the toll gates. I deduced that these vehicles’ destinations are either Subic, Clark or Baguio. Gone are the days when we treat the Holy Week as a time for spiritual retreat on the provinces.
After a three hour stopover at Guiguinto, Bulacan, where I attended an important business meeting, We finally arrived Limay, Bataan, at about 3pm. As usual, it's good to see old faces again during the Holy Week.
Religious traditions are still alive in Limay, Bataan. We still have the Pabasa (although it is slowly diminishing), the Senakulo on the streets, the long line of processions during Holy Wednesday, Good Friday(there are quite a number of images of the passion of Jesus Christ), and the Salubong during Easter Dawn. There are also various penitents, the flagellants, the cross bearers of many sorts.
Unfortunately, this year, we were unable to observe the Visita Iglesia because of Nanays' condition. (She's on a wheelchair due to Osteoporosis at the hip) Churches in Bataan seem to have a competition of some sort in the decorations made on the altar. Visiting these churches make you want to stay long. Some have dim lighting with enchanting background music. Some with beautiful landscaped gardens with flowing waters. Very beautiful.
I am not sure though if there is still a singing contest on Black Saturday Evening for children, the winner of which shall receive a cash prize plus the honor to act as the angel who, while singing a long latin alleluia song, will remove the black veil of Mother Mary during the commencement of the Salubong procession.
It's Easter now, we're about to return to reality tomorrow. It really feels good to have made a retreat again. Happy Easter everyone!