Holy Week 2019 Celebration

     Faith is nourishment for our soul.  Although I've been a Catholic all my life, I was raised by my parents to be friends with everybody despite differences in culture, social status, and religion.  I've learned that religion is such a sensitive topic but when talking about it (I'd rather not if it can be helped), I do not focus on the differences but rather on the similarities.  I know that across all religion, there are certain things that can be agreed on such as kindness, respect, and love -- among other things.

A candid shot during my sister's wedding in Calaruega last October 2018. Photo by Myio Okamoto Photography.

     In our family, we have yearly traditions to celebrate our faith and our Christianity.  We used to have yearly "pasyon" or "pabasa" scheduled every Holy Mondays during the Holy Week --  but since my parents' stroke (dad in 2013 and my mom in 2016), we've decided not to do it anymore.  Here's an old video I found of our "pabasa" last March 2013.

     My mom was a dressmaker and she made clothes for St. Peter and Mater Dolorosa as her thanksgiving gesture for the graces we received.  After her stroke, since she can't make those dresses anymore, I've approached some of my good friends to help us go through with the tradition.  And so, despite the hardships we've endured this year, with our family and friends' help, we were able to express and celebrate our faith successfully.

Mater Dolorosa, St. Peter, Nazareno, and Sto. Intiero hanging out in the living room before the procession.

     We hosted the last supper dinner on Maundy Thursday and we prepared four saints who will participate during the Good Friday procession. I didn't sleep for 2 days straight because we lack people who can help us with the preparations.  Here are some photos of St. Peter, Sto, Intiero, and Mater Dolorosa before they were brought to Saint Joseph Parish Church (Gabao, Irosin, Sorsogon) for the Good Friday Procession.

St. Peter's ensemble was donated by Anthony Cesar Fortuno of Fashion Literacy Shop. Thanks Sir Anthony!

Mater Dolorosa's black dress was donated by Ronald M. Lita of Atelier de Ronaldo. Thanks Sir Ronald!

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All three karos of Sto. Intiero, Mater Dolorosa, and St. Peter were ready by 2:52PM of April 19.  I took this photo before they were brought to church for the Good Friday Procession.  Nazareno was with Bona and Lala, they took charge of Nazareno's preparation since 2018.

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Continued from Page 1:   Photos at Saint Joseph Parish Church (Gabao, Irosin, Sorsogon) before the Good Friday Procession.

Nazareno was waiting for us at the church when we arrived. Thanks to Bona and Lala for taking charge of Nazareno and special thanks to Diana Canaria for helping with Nazareno's flower arrangement.

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Photos during the Good Friday Procession.

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     We had to be creative with the use of the resources we have.  But more importantly, we had friends who supported us.  Thus, we would like to express our deepest and sincerest gratitude to our generous friends and relatives who made all of this possible.

• Ronald Lita of Atelier de Ronaldo for Mama Mary's dress.
• Anthony Cesar Fortuno of Fashion Literacy for St. Peter's ensemble.
• Ate Imz Rodrigueza, our main sponsor for the flowers.
• Bona and Lala Benzon, Adrian Benzon, and Andy Diño for additional flowers.
• BenzMont Enterprises for the lighting and designing of the karos for Sto. Intiero, Mater Dolorosa, and St. Peter.
• Diana Canaria for Nazareno's flower arrangement.
• Kuya Jeffrey for the genset.
• Fat Tummy Cakes for coordinating everything.

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     We do not live on bread alone, faith is the nourishment for our soul.  Faith gives meaning to our existence and life will be empty without it.  No matter what our faith is and how we celebrate it, we should celebrate it with sincerity and depth. 

     Thanks for reading. Subscribe to follow my updates and let's connect!  Until my next wandering.

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