WHILE it has been practiced less frequently in recent years in Metro Manila, a renewed interest in the Holy Week tradition of “Pabasa” has been noted by a Catholic priest.
In an interview, Mary Mother of Hope Landmark Chapel Chaplain Fr Regie Malicdem said he is seeing a revival in the faithful’s interest in the uninterrupted chanting of the life, passion, and death of Jesus Christ.
“I think there is a renewed appreciation of this beautiful tradition of the Pabasa,” said Malicdem, noting increased Pabasa activities in mall-based chapels in recent years.
“Last year, there were Pabasa in Rockwell and Greenbelt. Now, we will have it at Landmark.
The communities around malls are the ones participating in the mall chapels,” he said, adding the renewed interest is the reason why they have decided to hold Pabasa for the 2024 Holy Week observance.
“This is the first time that there will be Holy Week services at the Landmark Chapel,” Malicdem said.
He said the Pabasa at the Mary Mother of Hope Chapel will be held on Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday after the 12:15 p.m. masses until the end of mall hours.
The pabasa is a Catholic tradition in the Philippines popular during Holy Week, with the faithful engaged in the uninterrupted chanting of the narration of the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be on heightened alert starting today, Friday, to ensure the safety of people going to the provinces for the Holy Week.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said at least 60 percent of the PCG’s total strength of 30,000 will be deployed during the period.
Balilo said the heightened alert status was ordered declared by PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and will last until March 31 or until the end of Holy Week.
“The concern of the Philippine Coast Guard is the safety and security of all people going to the provinces (during the Holy Week),” said Balilo.
He said the PCG expects people to start going to the provinces, via passenger vessels, today.
“We assure the public that there won’t be overloading of vessels and all (passengers) are listed in the manifest and we are not going to allow items that may cause fire or danger (in passengers vessels),” said Balilo.
Balilo said the PCG will implement security measures at the port in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority and the PNP.
“We will be conducting sea patrol and we have standby units so that if there will be emergencies at sea, we are ready,” said Balilo.
Balilo said PCG personnel will also be deployed at resorts to augment security measures implemented by the resorts for the safety of people going on vacation.
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has directed all regional and district engineering offices to conduct routine highway maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow along major roads during next week’s Holy Week celebration.
Bonoan said the Department of Public Works and Highways’ “Lakbay Alalay” Program is also being reactivated to provide prompt emergency assistance to motorists and commuters while Motorist Assistance Teams will be stationed along strategic national roads from Maundy Thursday (March 28) to Good Friday (March 29) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“In anticipation of the heavy flow of traffic this long weekend, implementing offices were instructed to ensure the provision of informative/regulatory warning signs or traffic advisory along ongoing road projects,” he said.
He said appropriate warning, directional, and information signages are to be legibly and visibly installed along critical sections leading to churches for the safety of those who will go for the traditional Visita Iglesia.
Malacañang, through Proclamation 368 issued in October 2023, had declared March 28 (Maundy Thursday) and March 29 (Good Friday) as among the regular holidays observed in the country while March 30 (Black Saturday) is a special non-working) day. — With Victor Reyes and Jocelyn Montemayor
