It
was summer of 1994. I was about to enter as a college freshman in Manila. And
what better way to do fasting for Holy Week than doing an Alay Lakad from Pasig
City going to Antipolo Church.
Distance didn't factor to me as I was then built for longer distance walking - coming from a remote island in Sibuyan - where I practically grew up going to school walking a total of 4 kilometers (twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon) everyday. So that night of Apirl 9, we walked at a normal pace from an assembly point somewhere in Ortigas in Pasig City heading to Antipolo City, Rizal where our last pit stop was in front of Antipolo church.
Along the way, we're being guided and assisted by different fraternity groups acting as volunteers handing out candies and water to keep us hydrated along our journey. I never had the chance to entertain exhaustion as the walk certainly was fun especially that you're with thousands of pilgrims doing the same as you do.
We arrived at around 2am in the morning and settled in for a rest spreading only used newspapers serving as our sleeping sheets at the facade of the church. Around 4am, we hurried to get up since the first mass was about to begin. After hearing the mass, we went strolling around several spots, bought pasalubong and head home via jeepney ride.
So, If I may ask you - how will you spend your Holy Week? What kind of fasting shall you consider this time around?
#MaundyThursday
#WaysOfFasting
#HolyWeekObservance
Distance didn't factor to me as I was then built for longer distance walking - coming from a remote island in Sibuyan - where I practically grew up going to school walking a total of 4 kilometers (twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon) everyday. So that night of Apirl 9, we walked at a normal pace from an assembly point somewhere in Ortigas in Pasig City heading to Antipolo City, Rizal where our last pit stop was in front of Antipolo church.
Along the way, we're being guided and assisted by different fraternity groups acting as volunteers handing out candies and water to keep us hydrated along our journey. I never had the chance to entertain exhaustion as the walk certainly was fun especially that you're with thousands of pilgrims doing the same as you do.
We arrived at around 2am in the morning and settled in for a rest spreading only used newspapers serving as our sleeping sheets at the facade of the church. Around 4am, we hurried to get up since the first mass was about to begin. After hearing the mass, we went strolling around several spots, bought pasalubong and head home via jeepney ride.
So, If I may ask you - how will you spend your Holy Week? What kind of fasting shall you consider this time around?
#MaundyThursday
#WaysOfFasting
#HolyWeekObservance
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holy week has always been chaotic for those who wish to come back to the provinces. I remember to have spent long hours queuing for a bus back home in Cabanatuan. But one particular trip I can't forget was when I plan to spend holy week in Marinduque. Thou the bus trip to Batangas was not as difficult as I expected it to be, the boat trip to Marinduque was just insane because eventhough I was at the port at arounf 8 pm, I was able to ride a ship around 10 am the following day. Ganun kadami tao at disorganized ang management ng port.
ReplyDeleteFor this year, simple lang gagawin ko. Just a road trip to a simple beach destination in central Luzon. Less trip and more time to reflect.
Tama ka Atty. Oman - chaotic is the perfect word esp. for those coming from Manila. It's always been the case in Batangas Port in season like this, diyan din kami sumasakay papunta sa Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
DeleteA solo trip is a chance to reflect deeper. :) May you have a meaningful lenten observance.
holy week... nandito lang ako sa bahay... nagkukulong.
ReplyDeleteewan ko pero tuwing holy week, ganun lang lagi.
Ok lang yan, as long as you observe it in your own ways, it is more meaningful pa than those who want to go to far places. Observance has never been about places, it is all about the desire of your heart.
DeleteI am so happy that I've become a Protestant. I don't have to do all this walking. hahaha! I'm just kidding. I believe that religious traditions should never constitute to the whole picture of the redemption of a man's soul, however, I still believe that we should retain them because it adds colour to our faith, well at least to the Catholic faith.
ReplyDeleteProtestants are not even exempted. Many times that even those Born Again Christians, Evangelicals, and Baptists were blinded by traditions they created themselves.
It's like we're the contemporary versions of the Pharisees during Jesus' time, those who have genuine faith in God, but misplaced them in concepts that have nothing to do with the Holy Scriptures.
Anyway, I pray that may this Holy Week would bring spiritual revival and re-awakening in the hearts of faithful Catholics, and I hope the Protestants would do some solemn observation of this holy week by spending it through prayer, fasting and meditation on God's Word.
Need I say more? What you've said are all valid.
DeleteErrr....
DeleteIronically speaking, hindi ko pa na-experience na "Mag-Alay Lakad" tuwing Semana Santa going uphill to Antipolo Church. Considering the fact na taga Rizal lang din ako nakatira >_<
ReplyDeleteStaycation lng kami Dad this entire Holy Week para less gastos. Malayo kasi ang province namin. Need mo pang mag-travel through sea para makarating sa Samar at Leyte.
Happy Easter!
The one and only Alay Lakad in relation to Holy Week that I did, di na nasundan pa yan hehe.
DeleteStaying in your comfort zone is ok as long as you fully adhere to how lenten is being observed. Ang pagnilay nilay naman has nothing to do with going to different places.
matagal ko na gusto sumama sa alay lakad pero ang problema lagi ako may pasok sa work.
ReplyDeleteYou can always observe the Holy Week in your own little ways, God sees the intention of your heart and it is never about being in a far place nor doing something else.
DeleteMy God Dad, I cant imagine how strong your legs are then kung 4 kilometers linalakad mo araw araw. Next year sana makapag alay lakad na ako. I was with Arvin this Holy Week. Umakyat at naglakad papuntang Gethsemane Prayer Mountain. How did you spent Holy Week there Dad?
ReplyDeleteThat's right, everyday yun and we never opt to ride a tryke. Mas enjoy kami sa paglalakad kasi di pa naman ganun kasakit ang init noon.
DeleteOur Holy Week observance is good. We had done few things in relation to the H.W. We also have reflection. Nakita ko nga sa mga photos mo sa Insta na magkakasama kayo nila Arvin.
But now, I'm sick, I have cough and cold and a slight fever. Nahawaan na kasi yung isa kung kumpare nagkaroon. Pati si Caleb din meron.
Awww kawawa naman ni Caleb.. lols ikaw din, I hope you both get well as soon as possible. Buti di naman pinagbabawal jan observance.
DeleteAs of this writing, I'm still sick, 2am here I woke up coughing hard. I don't like having cough and cold, sobrang istorbo sa sleep. I've been drinking boiled water with lemon grass and ginger. Plus, may sore eyes pa ako. Huhuhu :(
Delete1994! ohmeyged ha ha
ReplyDeleteI've been to Antipolo for several religious-related purpose but I haven't done this pilgrimage though I was considering that before!