Sinadya sa Halaran Festival 2010

December 3-8, 2010

Roxas City, Philippines

Theme: Pag-ambitanay, Pagkinalipay, Pagpasalamat (Sharing, Joy and Thanksgiving)

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Download Schedule of Activities: Sinadya_sa_Halaran_2010_Schedule

Holy Week Celebration in Capiz, Philippines

The Holy Week Celebration in Capiz, Philippines is different charm for everyone that combines native traditions and modern day touches with numerous innovations. This has been considered as the holiest week. As Pan-ay town and Capiz became the center of Catholicism in the Panay Island during the Spanish colonization in 18^th century, Capiznon tradition in celebrating Holy Week was greatly influenced by Spanish conquistadores.

Holy Week Procession during Good Friday at Roxas City, Philippines

Lenten season has been solemnly observed by Capizeño through “Pagpamalandung” with a mixture of pagan rituals and “Panimad-on” or superstitions. Others where busy looking for “Pangalap” or amulet in the mountains and caves in Capiz specially during Good Friday where they believed could protect them from harm, physical or otherwise.  Some are fulfilling their vows or “pana-ad” through “penitensya” or penitence, sacrifices, myriad of flagellants, “puasa” or fasting; and church visits or “visita iglesia”. 

Holy Week Processions in Good Friday is one of the spectacular activity should’nt be missed.

Lenten season is also a chance for family members, batchmates, classmates, kababata and barkadas to be reunited in which majority of them where having their vacations.

Visita Iglesia in Capiz: Top 7 Churches to Visit

Holy Thursday also known as Maundy Thursday for Christian Churches is very significant in observing the Lenten Season or Semana Santa/Cuaresma specially in the Philippines.

 

Traditionally, on this day, Catholic faithful solemnize the importance of Holy Thursday through Visita Iglesia or Church Visits.

Four (4) activities where commemorated in observance of Maundy Thursday:

1. the washing of the Disciples’ Feet by Jesus Christ;
2. the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper;
3. the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane; and
4. the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

The last supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles was also observed on this day.

 

 But what is more important in the custom/tradition of the Filipino Catholic faithful during Huebes Santo is to do the visita iglesia, literally, church visits.  This tradition was an ancient practice started in Rome, where early pilgrims visited seven (7) pilgrim churches in Rome as penance. 

 

 Here in the Philippines, faithful carry out this tradition of Visita Iglesia as their “Pana-ad” by visiting seven churches (others may extend it to 14) and say the Stations of the Cross or Via Crusis, with two stations in each churches.

They follow this sequence:

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane,
2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested,
3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin,
4. Jesus is denied by Peter,
5. Jesus is judged by Pilate,
6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns,
7. Jesus takes up His cross,
8. Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross,
9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem,
10. Jesus is crucified,
11. Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief,
12. Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other,
13. Jesus dies on the cross,
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Capiznon became truly faithful in observing this tradition, looking back to its history, Pan-ay town became the second Spanish settlement in the Philippines next to Cebu. Capiz then, became the center of Catholicism in the entire island.

Here are the possible route for visita iglesia in Capiz based on its proximity and accessibility (Roxas City->Pan-ay->Pontevedra -> Bailan -> Panit-an -> Loctugan -> Roxas City):

1. Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral – Roxas City

Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral Parish

 2. Sta. Monica Parish – Pan-ay, Capiz

Sta. Monica Church, Panay Capiz.. the church where the Biggest Bell in Asia hangs in its belfry

3. St. Isidore Parish  – Pontevedra, Capiz

Parish of St. Isidore, Pontevedra, Capiz

4. St. Vincent Ferrer Parish – Brgy. Bailan Pontevedra, Capiz

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Brgy. Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz

5. St. Laurence Parish – Panitan, Capiz

St. Laurence Parish, Panitan, Capiz

6. St. Therese of Avila Parish – Brgy. Loctugan, Roxas City

St. Therese of Avila Parish, Brgy. Loctugan, Roxas City

7. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish – Roxas City

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Roxas

Are Filipinos nowadays truly faithful in observing this Holy Week? Do they solemnly and religiously observing the Visita Iglesia? or just doing the Visita Isla (Island Hopping)?  Try to ask the teenagers now, they can’t even understand the reasons of observing this religious tradition, or this is just a reason to get away from work  or school  and enjoy the entire week with friends for a vacation.   

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Capiznon Online talks about everything and anything you want to know about Capiz and Roxas City, its allure, its beauty, the latest issues being talked about, the happenings as well as the latest landmarks, recreational centers, watering holes and all the things that make Capiz truly captivating and bewitching. This is a place where Hectic Capiznon Bloggers of 2009 can be found.

St. Therese of Avila Parish – Loctugan, Roxas City

Fr. Santiago Losada founded Loctugan, a district of Roxas City, in 1834 but it continued being a part of Capiz (now Roxas City).  On June 6, 1840, it was declared a parish by decree of General Lardizabal.  However, this decree was annulled because the people were not able to comply with the conditions imposed on constructing public buildings.  In 1844, it was definitely created a parish under the patronage of Sta. Teresa de Avila.

St. Therese de Avila Parish, Brgy. Loctugan, Roxas City

Since its foundation, it served the spiritual and moral needs of its parishioners. This was briefly interrupted during the Second World War when the Japanese Imperial Army used the church as a fortress while being besieged by the USAFFE guerillas.

Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral Parish

The new superb and amazing image of Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral, Roxas City painted with blue in honor of parish Patron Saint Immaculada Concepcion. The parish was founded in 1707. The current structure of the Cathedral was build in 1827.

Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral Parish

When Capiz became a diocese in 1951, Msgr. Vicente Gonzales was the incumbent parish priest. He was succeeded by the following: Msgr. Edmundo Fuerte, Msgr. Vicente Hilata, and Archbishop Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, the present parish priest

The ancient replica of Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral. Far different from the present but still it embody the same purpose as the “house of God”.

Immaculada Concepcion Cathedral Parish

 

Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral
5800 Roxas City, Capiz
Tel. 621-0617

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Capiznon Online talks about everything and anything you want to know about Capiz and Roxas City, its allure, its beauty, the latest issues being talked about, the happenings as well as the latest landmarks, recreational centers, watering holes and all the things that make Capiz truly captivating and bewitching. This is a place where Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009 can be found.

Population: 60,229
Catholics: 58,205
Titular: Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8
Parish Priest: Most Rev. Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D.

Related Post:

• Visita Iglesia in Capiz: Top 7 Churches to Visit
• St. Therese of Avila Parish – Loctugan, Roxas City