This year, some senators choose to spend Holy Week in Metro Manila with their families — praying, and doing the traditional Visita Iglesia and “Pabasa.”
Visita Iglesia is the practice of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday, while “Pabasa” is a verse narrative based on the life and suffering of Jesus.
READ: Budget Travel’s Pasyalan joins Visita Iglesia | ‘Pabasa’: Lenten ritual and family tradition
INQUIRER.net asked senators how they will spend the Lenten season this year and this was how some of them responded to the question:
Senate President Franklin Drilon: “I will be with my family in (Manila from Thursday to Sunday), when Manila will be serene and peaceful!!”
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto: “ Will be in Metro Manila. No out of town trip this time. Will spend it with family and friends mindful of its symbolism. Will be reflective in prayer and thankful for all blessings.”
Senator Grace Poe: “Every year since I was a child, on Thursday night we do Bisita Iglesia and visit seven nearby churches. Midnight of Good Friday, my Mom continues the tradition of my Lola and she hosts a “Pabasa” in her house. It goes on from midnight till 3 p.m. of Good Friday. We take turns singing the verses of the “passion” (would you believe) but the ones that are really leading the Pabasa are the senior citizen family friends of my lola from way back…”
“Maikli lang ang participation ko. Pero umiinom ako ng salabat para ma condition,” Poe added in jest.
Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III: “(I will spend it) With my wife and my Eat Bulaga family. Then the usual Pabasa in Vic’s house this weekend.”
(Sotto was referring to his comedian brother, Vic Sotto, one of the main hosts of GMA7’s afternoon show, Eat Bulaga)
Senator Loren Legarda: “Pabasa which is a family tradition in Malabon for more than seven generations. It is reading the passion of Christ. Bisita Iglesia which I have been doing since I was a child. Pray in the blessed sacrament and observe silence and meditation.”