This post has long been overdue but a lot of things to accomplish at work so just managed to do this post today.
Still in Bantayan Island to witness and join the fascinating tradition of the Holy Week procession, we put our bags in the friend's home and off we went to the town plaza.
Situated at the heart of the town, the historical St. Peter's and St. Paul's church is one of the tourist destinations in Bantayan Island being the oldest church established in Cebu.
Originally known as St. Peter's Church founded by the Augustinians in 1580, Bantayan Island is the first parish to be established in Cebu according to this plaque displayed on the wall of the church. St. Paul was added as a patron in the 20th century, therefore it is now called the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church.
Since no vehicles were allowed to enter the town proper because of the religious event, we just walked towards the place together with other locals as well as local and international tourists who wished to join and witness the Holy Week celebration in Bantayan.
The Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church
Getting inside the church to say a little prayer, I was wowed by its architecture and design which could really capture the eye of anyone who enters this religious place.
The visual spectacle on the ceiling tells the story of Creation, Fall of Man, and the Redemption. (according to the plaque displayed at the entrance of the church)
The Dibuho Kisame
It also weaves the story of how the parish, local community, and a group of artists to undertake a momentous project. Before it was painted in 2018-2019 under the administration of Fr. Joselito Danao, the ceiling was plain and bare.
But because of the full cooperation and support of the parishioners, the project became realized and served as a visual catechism to the people who attend the mass and also to those visitors who drop by the church.
The Heart of the Town
The crowd was already thick when we arrived but as time went by, more and more people came that made it hard for us to get through. It's my second time to join the procession in this place but I was amazed at how big the crowd was like about 20,000 or even more devotees were there!!
I was able to pass by the area again in the morning to buy some necessities at the Bantayan Market and I couldn't imagine that this place was jam-packed with people the night before for the Holy Week celebration.
This is actually how wide and peaceful the town plaza is during ordinary days.
When you get to the entrance, you will immediately see this signage that reads, Be In Bantayan!
These old sturdy trees (I was not sure of its name) in plant boxes filled with empty seashells give shade and comfort to plaza goers even during hot season!
Right across the church patio is the Cristo Rey Statue that stands proudly at the center of the plaza that seemed blessing all visitors and tourists.
This overhead pergola with long benches to sit and relax is a perfect spot for lovers and friends to chit-chat and spend their valuable time together.
The Holy Week Tradition
Not only because of the long holiday that the whole country enjoyed because of the Holy Week but it was also because of some paranormal experience that we encountered in school also motivated me to come to Bantayan Island to witness this special religious event and spend some time to reflect on things!
As we arrived at the heart of the town, a lot of people were already standing on the streets waiting for the Good Friday procession to start.
Looking around, a memory of my first experience joining this solemn celebration flashed back and I was more than delighted to have come here again but now with my own little family.
These life-sized images that portrayed the Passion of Christ mounted in carrozas or carriage looked so realistic and reflective that drew a lot parishioners and visitors to participate again and again in this unique Good Friday tradition in Bantayan.
The ultimate sacrifice that Jesus endured and gone through just to save mankind from their sins is narrated through these figures!
Being the patron saint of Bantayan Island, the carroza of St. Peter took the lead in the procession followed by this float that portrays the scene when Jesus Christ was stripped off from his garments.
According to the good friend who's a local of this town, these symbolic figures and their carrozas were commissioned and managed by some rich families of Bantayan and every time this season of Lent comes, these images are displayed during the Good Friday procession.
What I noticed during the procession was that each group of devotees had their own choice of carroza to follow with their own dress code- like there were those wearing all white while others were in uniform t-shirts printed just for this event.
Trium Cruces. Not quite sure what it means but these figures seem to have portrayed the time when Jesus was crucified with other two (2) thieves suffering the same death as Him.
I was curious about the material used in this carroza and touched if it was a real rock and the friend confirmed it was, indeed! Wow! It was so unique and creative and it's amazing!
And, the highlight of the Holy Week procession was the Santo Entierro or the Holy Burial wherein the statue of the dead Jesus Christ was bathed in an all-white glow and decorated with all-white flowers.
Tagged along by the friend whose aunt was one of those who helped set up this caro of Santo Entierro, we joined this group of devotees in prayer as well.
The spirit of bayanihan or civic unity or cooperation was what I most admired in the community of these people who prepared the carrozas for the procession.
Not only they were ONE in trying to make everything set and ready for the solemn celebration but also they were showing unity and cooperation in sharing the blessing that they have through the food packs that they prepared for all the participants in their stations.
Your throat will not also go dry during the procession because water stations were provided in every corner to quench your thirst.
I should say it was the best time we had in Bantayan Island to reflect and examine back to ourselves how deep and strong our religious faith was!
Teaching my children that in life, it is faith in Him that influences and leads us to do good not only to ourselves but most especially to others!
And this is the end of my blog dear Hive friends. Thank you for reaching this far. See you again in my next blog. Until then....
All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.