Lenten rites, rituals return to Mabalacat City

HIS CROSS | This scene of penitents carrying a cross on Good Friday in 2018 is usual during the Lenten commemoration of Jesus’ passion and death in Mabalacat City and many other areas in Pampanga. This practice has been halted since the pandemic struck in 2020. But unlike the capital City of San Fernando, Mabalacat decided to resume the Lenten rites this Holy Week. (Photo from the Mabalacat City Facebook page)

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga, Philippines — Traditional Lenten rites and rituals, including carrying of wooden crosses and self-flagellation by penitents, will again be seen in this city this Holy Week after Mayor Crisostomo Garbo decided to allow its conduct after two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garbo’s action was directly opposite to City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago’s earlier order prohibiting all forms of traditional Lenten rites, like crucifixion, carrying of wooden crosses on the road and self-flagellation, in Pampanga’s capital.

Garbo, who is seeking reelection in May, defended his decision by saying he understood the “strong clamor” of his constituents on the importance of holding Holy Week rites that were part of the Kapampangan culture, and as expressions of faith. But he also reminded the public to observe government-mandated protocols, like the wearing of face masks, and asked the police and village councils to assist in all the Lenten activities.

The mayor said he issued an order on April 7 discouraging the conduct of traditional Lenten rites here but was immediately bombarded with criticisms, prompting him to withdraw the order three hours later.

Garbo cautioned everyone participating in the Lenten rites, especially penitents, to abide by existing health protocols under alert level 1, adding that it is their responsibility to keep themselves safe at all times.

The city has no more active COVID-19 cases as of Monday, the local government said.

Before the pandemic struck in 2020, every zone or subvillage in the city had a “puni,” or a makeshift structure, where the “pasyon” (passion of Christ) was continuously chanted for at least a week. The roads along and leading to every puni teemed with makeshift stores with tables and chairs, offering beer, sodas, fruit juices and assorted food items to people visiting the pasyon sites.

—JUN A. MALIG

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