Residents, tourists urged to take part in Makati’s Lenten activities

MANILA, Philippines—With preparations for the Holy Week in Makati City in full swing, city officials are inviting the Catholic faithful as well as tourists to visit Barangay (village) Poblacion and take part in its traditional Lenten practices.

In a statement, Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said that traditional practices such as the procession of antique crucifixes and images of Mater Dolorosa and the Black Nazarene were still alive in the city.

The city’s observance of the Lenten Season kicked off on April 10 with the opening of the exhibit dubbed “Tradisyon: Enduring Customs of Makati in Living Exhibit” at the Atrium of Glorietta 5 in Ayala Center. It will be open until April 15, Tuesday.

“Visitors of the exhibit shall experience a unique appreciation for our culture and heritage and have an understanding [of] the origins and how Makati City grew into a premier hub of flourishing enterprise, education and governance,” Binay said.

Aside from talks from prominent residents like Eden Samarista and Dr. Mario Leaño, the exhibit features photographs of old Makati, relics from churches and houses and props and costumes used in parades and festivals like the Lenten procession with the goal of reviving the residents’ pride in the city.

To date, around 25 tableaus (kubol or kalbaryo) have been put up in various streets in Barangay Poblacion, one of the city’s oldest communities and the site of its pilot heritage conservation project.

To give way to the Lenten activities, traffic on J. P. Rizal Avenue from Manila to Guadalupe, Edsa will be rerouted on April 16 and 18.

Since certain streets in Poblacion will be closed to make way for the Lenten procession and relevant activities, the Makati Command Center has issued a traffic advisory providing alternate routes to motorists specifically on April 16 (Holy Wednesday) and April 18 (Good Friday), starting at 5 p.m. onwards.

For motorists coming from Guadalupe going to Manila, turn left on Estrella Street then continue straight to Edsa, make right turn on Gil Puyat (Buendia) then right turn on Nicanor Garcia Street (Reposo), then left turn on J. P. Rizal toward Taft Avenue.

For motorists coming from Manila going to Guadalupe, from Kalayaan Avenue turn right on Nicanor Garcia Street (Reposo) going toward Gil Puyat (Buendia) then straight to Edsa, turn right on Kalayaan Avenue, then turn left to Sgt. Fabian Yabut Street to reach Guadalupe.

Meanwhile, the Lenten procession route on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday will start after the 6:30 p.m. Mass at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church (beside St. Paul College of Makati, across the Cristo Rey Plaza), which will also be the final stop. The parade entourage will pass through the following streets: Kalayaan Avenue, Don Pedro, General Luna, Pagulayan, D. M. Rivera, Mabini, Don Pedro, Gabaldon, J. D. Villena, J. P. Rizal Avenue, Bonifacio, E. Zobel, Mabini, J. P. Rizal Avenue, Pertierra, Ma. Aurora, M. L. Quezon, Osmeña, F. Zobel, Buencamino, E. Zobel, Quintos, Santiago, Singian and Makati Avenue, then to P. Burgos and back to Sts. Peter and Paul Church.