Holy Week in the Philippines

        I may be non-Catholic, but I did grow up with neighbors who are Catholic and observed how they participate in this Lenten Season.  I hear that in Western churches it begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast (Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christ's fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry.

    Lent, or kwaresma in Filipino, is the season during which Filipinos remember Christ's passion, suffering, death, and resurrection. The Philippines is known as the only primarily Christian country in Asia, and its population is made up of a large number of devout Catholics, which is why Lent Season or Holy Week traditions are commonly practiced in a very unique manner. Here in the Philippines, it is known as Mahal na Araw or Semana Santa, and it begins on Palm Sunday and continues through Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and concludes on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

      Lent is an important religious observance in Christianity because it marks and commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's Son, our Savior, and Redeemer. It's a good time to think about what it means to be a Christian. 

Resources: https://bemyguest.com.sg/p/lenten-season-festivities-in-the-philippines-a-showcase-of-filipino-customs-traditions-and-artistry  https://www.aethelmark.com/blog/e/e3/ https://tinyurl.com/bdzkxdzy https://tinyurl.com/2nakv748 https://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/visual/lenten-rites-in-pampanga-philippines 

Kannawidan Festival Delivers Lights of Hope

      Fiestas and celebrations are returning as the Philippines begins to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak, providing Filipinos with a much-needed dose of levity. Kannawidan 2022, a series of activities aiming at celebrating life and sharing joy, was officially launched by the province administration of Ilocos Sur earlier this month.

      Kannawidan is a festival commemorating the separation of the two Ilocos provinces in 1818 in the province of Ilocos Sur. This celebration features cultural performances, religious rites, and cookery demonstrations showcasing the best of Ilocano cuisine.

         The celebrations were kicked off by the provincial government of Ilocos Sur, led by Governor Ryan Luis Singson and Vice Governor Jeremias Singson, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and officials and employees from local government units and national government agencies. Different events were held as a celebration of the kannawidan Festival, the first night was a dancing fountain show, a drone light show followed by a fireworks display, and a comedy night held at the Quirino Stadium. The second night was the coronation of the Sanita Ti Ylocos beauty pageant and the Chef Wars Cooking Competition. The third day concluded with LGBTQ Night. The event concluded with "Your Face Sounds Familiar, The Lip Sync Battle." Aside from competitions, the Kannawidan Festival also featured a dog show featuring American bulldogs, a car and motor show, Tinattoan, a bike race, game fowl, a rhythm fest, and the much-anticipated Bakbakan sa Ilocos Sur. 

     We should continue to be united as Ilocanos because, in such a short amount of time we have achieved to celebrate Kannawidan Festival with so many events, this just shows how we are getting back to normal and that Covid-19 is slowly fading in our lives and were trying to live with it.

Resources: 

https://tinyurl.com/mrvwrx3n 

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/02/20/ilocos-sur-celebrates-kannawidan-2022/