With no other choice, we were at Angeles City’s red light district, near the infamous Fields Avenue for dinner as there were no other restaurants open. When we were about to leave, the owner invited us for some videoke. It was Good Friday.

Two old towns, Carcar in Cebu and Angeles City in Pampanga have antique Santo Intierro but less the attached rituals and the Good Friday procession is a bit solemn.

Across the country’s Catholic churches are full of the faithful and after the 3 PM activities, typically the Sieta Palabras and reenactments of the death of Christ, the people venerate the cross. Just like in Argao and Carcar.

It was my first time to witness an actual crucifixion, an unexpected experience as I didn’t know until I saw the poster in Angeles City. But like any other things, I was more curious on how it goes.

It was all over me, specks of red on my camera and camera bag, shorts, legs, arms and shoes as well as face. I was splattered with blood following the flagellants at Lourdes Northwest, Angeles City. Pampanga.

Taken from its storage place, the ivory image of San Pedro is retrieved, dressed and placed on its carroza for the Good Friday procession.

I was dumbfounded when I learned about it that I just have to go and peek. No, take pictures and see for myself, one of the country’s rarest image in the lenten procession. What’s more, its antique and have the head and hands made of ivory.

In tandem with Simbahan.net, Langyaw.com presents some visita iglesia routes featuring the existing Filipino Baroque churches in each featured province that are still existing, except that of Intramuros where the lost churches are shown.

While waiting for the Santo Señor Sepulcro’s bier to arrive back at the church in Lucban, I was invited to have cooling halo-halo. What I didn’t expect was the unusual ingredient that they mix it with.

The latest issue of Langyaw, the photo e-magazine is now out and, like the previous releases, it is FREE to download!

Domingo de Ramos or Palm Sunday, is one of the significant days of the Semana Santa that marks the start of the Holy Week. It is a reenactment of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem when he was received by the people, waving palms while he was riding a donkey. And I witnessed this in Lucban, Quezon.

Paete in Laguna is known for its expert wood carvers and during Holy Week, it’s carving prowess is shown by the number of carrozas bearing lenten images. It has also one of the most unique santo intierro, the dead Christ laying in state that is jointed and undergoes a very unusual ritual akin to Cordillera death rites.

The Friday before Holy Week, another image, that of the crucified Christ undergoes the same ritual but with lesser people and done below the belfry of the church.

If you’re in Manila or Cebu this Holy Week, check out these downloadable PDF guides for use during the visita iglesia. Each showcases all the existing Spanish colonial era churches with photos, short history and printable maps. Manila is featured with its 8 churches while Cebu, 28.

I went back to Infanta, Quezon last April to do my major photo story as a requirement of my diploma course. This time, I spent several days documenting the preparation and actual activity that culminated on Good Friday.

Cebu is one of the provinces blessed with beautiful Spanish colonial era churches in the country. Most of these structures were built by the Augustinians as the island was under the Order’s care but those built by the seculars, though few, are notable too. This post lists seven of the most noteworthy that I have seen.