Year: 2018

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Why Do Filipinos Around the World Celebrate the Philippine Independence Day?

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Celebrations are an integral part of Filipino life and culture. Whether it be celebrations of the personal, religious or national kind, Filipinos enjoy commemorating these milestones.

As a nation, the Philippines has some of the most colorful celebrations imaginable – think of parades, processions, feasts and entertainment shows. Some celebrations are devoted to remembering national heroes such as Rizal Day and Bonifacio Day; but one of the most important days celebrated yearly is none other than the Philippine Independence Day held on the 12th of June.

The Philippines first proclaimed its sovereignty on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite, marking the end of more than 300 years of Spanish rule. It was the event where the Philippine flag was first used and the national anthem Lupang Hinirang (literally translated as Chosen Land) was played.

However, the Philippines was not completely independent as the proclamation suggested – neither the US nor Spain recognized the declaration of independence, and the Philippines was sold to the United States for $20 million during the Treaty of Paris. It would only be many decades later, on July 4, 1946 during the Treaty of Manila, that the US finally granted independence to the Philippines. Then president Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 which restored the celebration of Philippine Independence Day to June 12.

Why celebrate?

With an estimated 11 million Filipinos living overseas, Independence Day is an annual event that helps them to reconnect with their roots and assimilate this important celebration with the local culture of their host country. Such events are usually made possible through the embassy or consulate who spearhead the activities to engage the Filipino community and share the festivities with the local community in various countries.

2018 is the year that the Philippines celebrates its 120th year of independence. As today’s Filipinos enjoy the benefits of what our forefathers have sacrificed for the country, spend a moment to ponder what it means to be independent – to be free to speak, express, choose, love and act – without fear.

Celebrating Philippine Independence Day serves as a timely reminder to remember that the fight did not end with our forefathers.

It is a work in progress – an ongoing conversation that needs to be kept alive to ensure that future generations remains engaged and involved in nation building.

Such celebrations also serve as important venues to showcase the Filipino identity and culture, and the traditions that define Philippines as a country. These celebrations promote Filipino values, beliefs, and way of life.  

There are many more reasons to celebrate, but amidst all the rites and festivities, may we never forget the reason for it all.

 

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Celebrating Holy Week

Being a predominantly Christian country, Lent is an important religious event observed annually in the Philippines. It is a 40-day season that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy Week. During this period, Christians reflect on their sins and commemorate the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the celebration of Easter Sunday. It is a period of utmost solemnity; in olden times businesses would close for all or part of the Easter Triduum (Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday), and parents would warn their kids not to be rowdy or noisy. However, times have significantly changed and one cannot help feeling that the significance of the Lenten season has been somewhat lost on many as it increasingly becomes a routine for some and perhaps just a loud spectacle to watch for others.

So what makes Holy Week uniquely Filipino?

Pabasa

Literally translated as reading, but in the context of Holy Week it takes on the form of chanting.

Filipinos, especially older folks like our grandparents, read the book of the passion of the Christ with a very distinct melody. This public display of reverence to the cross usually takes all day and all night, and everyone is welcome to join. Drinking salabat (ginger tea) is very popular for during a “Pabasa” as it helps to avoid throat swelling due to continuous chanting and singing.

Palaspas

Palaspas (palm branches) are waved during Palm Sunday mass to mark the start of Holy Week. This is a commemoration of Christ arrival and entry into Jerusalem, days before he would be crucified; crowds of people had gathered to welcome him and waved palm branches in the air as they shouted ‘Hosanna’ which is Hebrew for ‘God saves’.

After the holy week, Filipinos usually keep the “palaspas” in their homes because this signifies suwerte (good luck). The palm leaves are replaced the following year.

Senakulo

Filipinos perform the senakulo, a play dramatizing the life, sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. It is taken from the Spanish word ‘cenakulo’ which literally means the upper room. In Christian tradition, the upper room is significant as it was the place where the Last Supper was held and it is the usual site where the Apostles stayed when they were in Jerusalem. In some parts of the Philippines, senakulos are held from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday.

Visita Iglesia

Visita Iglesia refers to church visitation done during Holy Week. Traditionally, Visita Iglesia was done after the Last Supper mass celebrated on Maundy Thursday evening. Nowadays it is common for people to do Visita Iglesia on any day during Holy Week.

What started out as a way to honor the Blessed Sacrament eventually turned into a form of pilgrimage as Christians visit 14 churches for each station of the Cross, or 7 churches for every two stations of the Cross, whichever is manageable.

For some it is a form of penance for sins while for others it is a way to seek God’s favor to grant a wish. For others still, it may be an opportunity to do some sightseeing while spending time with family and friends.

Seven Last Words

The Seven Last Words recounts the last words of Jesus before he died on the cross. The commemoration usually starts at noon and lasts until 3 pm which is the time Christians believe Christ died on the cross.

Prusisyon

During Holy Week, it is common for devotees to participate in religious processions where life size statues of religious characters are paraded on carrozas (floats). Such processions would usually start and end at the church, and going around the vicinity where crowds of devotees would be waiting by the roadside or walking behind the various carrozas. Three characters that would always be present in such processions are the Tres Marias – Maria Magdalene, Maria Cleofe, and Maria Jacobe.

Penitensiya

This Filipino version of repentance is not for the faint of heart – the sight of bloodied bodies walking the streets, carrying a cross and lashing their own backs with whips made of broken glass, nails or other sharp objects is not only controversial but is also a much-anticipated part of Holy Week. Those who choose to go through penitensiya may do it to atone for their sins or as thanksgiving for prayers granted.

Salubong

Easter Sunday celebration begins at 4 am in most churches where a vigil is held to commemorate the Risen Christ meeting Mary. This is when Christians believe that Christ is alive again after having been dead since 3 pm on Good Friday.

These days, Easter Sunday is most commonly associated with an easter egg hunt. In previous times, an egg was commonly used as a symbol of rebirth, and in Christian context is associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This Lenten season, no matter which part of the world you are in, taking part in these uniquely Filipino traditions and celebrations can make you feel closer to your roots and help strengthen your faith in God.