During good Friday, there are many traditions in different part on the country and these are the traditions that we observe here in Quezon.
1) Self Flagellation
If Pampanga has their "Pagpapapako sa Krus" (Crucifixion), our small town in Infanta and General Nakar, Quezon has the self-flagellation.
Early morning during good Friday, you can see in the streets men dressed in a skirt made out of dried banana leaves with their faces covered with clothes, mask or ornament made from leaves.
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| Self Flagelation in Gen Nakar, Quezon |
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| A Flagellant using the "panghampas" |
The men doing penitence beat themselves with a "panghampas" ( an instrument used for scourging which is made out of wooden peg) and after they feel numb, there is a person who will put a small cut on their back using blades to ease the flow of blood.
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| The flagellants official "cutter" puts tiny cuts in the flagellants back for the flood to flow |
To end their self-sacrifice, the Flagellant go to the church to pray then go afterward to the sea to take a bath and wash their bloody body.
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| The flagellants praying in front of the church to end their day of sacrifice |
(you can also check here my blog post about the self-flagellation in Infanta)
2) Procession
In General Nakar, Procession starts at 7 AM
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| In front of my cousin's house in General Nakar where they prayed the first mystery |
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| Men carrying the crucifix as part of their sacrifice |
In Infanta, Quezon, the procession starts after the 3 PM mass. There are also images of Jesus, Mama Mary, and other saints being paraded in the street while saying the rosary. Different "barangays" have different assignments to what "Image" to follow during the procession.
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| The "mamamasan' carrying the blessed image as part of their sacrifice for good Friday |
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| Children dressed as angels during the procession |
Kids, especially the sickly ones are dressed up like angels during the procession because it is their sacrifice. The parents believe that after the procession, their children would be blessed and will be cured.
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| People getting flowers from the blessed images |
After Blessing the images, the people get the flower decoration of the images because they believe that the flowers are pampaswerte (things that bring luck) especially in business.
How about you? What are the traditions that your province observe during Holy Week?
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