Good Friday, Bago City, Negros Occ.

The great thing about provincial towns like Bago City (yes, this city is still a town) is how they become repositories of old Filipino Catholic rituals, preserving them, continually cherishing the age-old traditions that the Spanish have handed down to its natives. No Pasyon rap here or Visita Iglesia via Internet either. It's wonderful in a museum kind of way.

The ritual starts when the sun is nearing its final rest where everyone is assembled at the starting point. Families, couples, children, and friends walk along with the nearest processional float which usually depicts a scene during the Crucifixion of Christ- all the way from the Agony in the Garden to the Santo Intierro.

So, Good Friday is the day when most of the processions are done, and also the day when the Luzon-centric real-time crucifixions are held which I believe do not reflect real Christian values like PENITENCE! You mean I can go on killing, raping, dealing in drugs and come holy week, my sins are all absolved when I get to hang on the cross?

I love the pomp and pageantry of Philippine folk Catholicism even if the basis for some of it borders already on idolatry (e.g. the belief that wiping your snot-filled handkerchief on the Black Nazarene will do miracles, the tradition of dressing up the Sto. Nino in different near-sacrilegious forms of clothing). The atmosphere of piety is heavy and palpable during this day that you cannot help but be swept into it.

Children are especially impressed by this tradition.  And a huge percentage of those in procession are below twenty and still virgin.

Some would simply stay on the roadside and light candles...

The Scourging at the Pillar scene.... When the procession circuits the city, it then returns to the church...