Philippines Expat and Travel Blog March Archive

Pro Traveling Finale At Mt. Banahaw

By ProTraveler at 03/20/08 10:02

I went to Mt. Banahaw yesterday. It was like a mini pilgrimage and a little procession. I went alone but met a lot of people along the road.

I went out of my house in Manila at around 4:30 in the afternoon of Wednesday. I was running out of time so instead of commuting I used my car that has long been unused in the garage. Everybody knows I love commuting more than driving because I take pictures while on the road. But this time I must drive myself onto destination. It was a almost a two hour and 20 minutes ride form Manila to Lucban, Quezon. I arrived at around 6:50pm. I then parked my car on their municipal parking lot, brought my tent and bags with me, and walk my way to Banahaw Trekkers Inn. I ate first at Banahaw's Kinabuhayan Restaurant, where sumptuous meals are served to me at a very affordable price.

There was a parade of decorated palm leaves or what we call in the Philippines as "palaspas". There are also parades of the patron saints of the different churches in Lucban, Quezon that went atop Mt. Banahaw and then they went back down. But I stayed up there with the others.

Atop the mountain, there was a campsite for people who wants to stay there. About a hundred people set up their own tents including me. After setting up my tent, I took photos all over the place. I saw a big cross located at the peak of the mountain. They call it "ang kalbaryo" or the calvary. There are also vendors and small stores where you can buy souvenir items and other religious stuffs like candles, rosaries, healing beds, healing water, handkerchiefs with prayers and many others.

I went home afterlunch the next day. All in all it was a safe, good trip. I casted all my doubts upon myself, and decided to renew my life. Feels like a new born. That is the main reason why ProTraveler decided that this will be his last post. Thank you all, the new writer will surely be as alive as I am and will definitely be a more experienced Philippine pro traveler. God bless you all.

Holy Week Celebration

Holy Week is fast approaching. It will be celebrated not a week from now.

Philippines is known as the only Catholic country in Asia although South Korea is now following the path. Thus, Asian countries except the Philippines do not celebrate the holy week as how we celebrate it here in our country.

Ancient Filipino beliefs about the Holy Week can still be seen and feel in the moder Philippines. Like for example depiction of Christ being nailed onto the cross. Many people, especially those in the part of Pampanga and Tarlac in Northern Luzon do this ritual annually. Many spectators, local and foreigners visit the place every holy week. This is because they believe seeing the drama will let them closer to God. Those who are being nailed onto the cross also believes that doing this tradition for rest of their lives will give them prosperity and guidance from the Lord.

However, in the other part of the country, specifically in Batangas and Cavite, the procession of people carrying big cross on their back is being done annually as well. This is their way of showing to the public what kind of suffering did Christ went into just to save the race of human beings from being washed again by the God. Many people participate in this event. If you are 19 years old above, make or female, you can join the procession given that you will provide your own cross to carry. They also said that completing the procession around the town will give them guidance and prosperity for the rest of the year.

I plan to go to Mt. Banahaw this Holy Week. I want to climb the holy mountain. It will be my first time and I do believe it will be exciting. Holy Week in the Philippines is an official holiday so I guess its time to relax and pay tribute to what God had done for us.