Parish of St. John the Baptist, Tabaco City - Good Friday Liturgy MORE PICTURES

We are almost twelve hours ahead of Central European Time (Rome), hence we celebrate Good Friday ahead of Rome and the rest of Europe and Americas. Filipino practices are to some extent unique; it is a blending of Spanish-Mexican Catholicism with a mixture of Filipino native practices. Filipinos are festive by nature and social events are celebrated with much fanfare. The early missionaries who evangelize these islands recognize this indigenous traits of the Filipinos (during colonial times, the Filipino natives were called Indios). The gospel message was easily conveyed by ceremonies and other para-liturgical activities such as dramas, plays and dioramas. In the parish where I belong, this is actually a very populous parish; Good Friday and Easter are celebrated with much color and vividness. After the liturgical services, people await the procession of religious floats referred to locally as Carosas. These religious floats depict events in the passion of Christ. The life-size statues bring to life the story of how Jesus suffered in order to redeem the world. These processions are popular with children. In a sense this is also a form of catechism. To the uninstructed and to those who are “children” in the faith, these floats serve to teach them and impress in their minds the story of Jesus. St. Paul in his letter told the Corinthians that he has fed them with milk because until now they are not yet ready to take on meat. Thus far from belittling these practices, I consider these as very important cultural practices that could help transmit the message of the gospel. These practices are indeed worth preserving. This is also a means by which we could teach the young about the gospel. To the simple and the uninstructed this could serve as vehicle for learning.

The Float Depicting the Last Supper. These floats are maintained and owned by certain families. They do this out of religious devotion or in fulfillment of a personal vow. Maintaining one of these floats is expensive. The owners have to change the clothes and decorations.

The Crowning with thorns

Simon of Cyrene Helping the Lord Carry His Cross

Jesus Carrying the Cross

The multitude of faithful at the Church Courtyard waiting for the procession to begin

The Festive Crowd in the Church Courtyard waiting for the procession to begin.

The people milling around in the courtyard

The Church Courtyard

Outdoor Altar. A metal fence was built around the altar to prevent bystanders from desecrating the altar. This is an example of an altar in the Tridentine era. Outdoor Masses are still held here but an altar table is place instead because of the ad populum orientation of the Novus Ordo Mass.

Altar of Christ the King

Diorama of the triumphal Entry