(Note: This post was so overdue, around April)
Days before, my enthusiasm was already overflowing. Words written in my planner can't even express how excited I was. Everything was so random as asfgsgsdrfgvedsvaafcwrcfx. The thought of me getting out of the city was too much. I haven't really been out of the polluted and congested metro manila for ages (except during school events). So you can't really imagine how my mind was preoccupied of the things I would do if I get to have a trip out of manila. Maybe wander around, just walking and contemplating? Or probably go to the beach and not have a tan? Or maybe witness the famous senakulo of Bataan?
April 22. Good Friday.
It's near the end of the holy week actually and what's a better way to commemorate it than to hitch a van to Samal, Bataan and celebrate it with the locals.
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| Even before dawn, some already started their penitence |
The day started with the penitensya. Even before dawn, penitents were already walking around the town barefooted. Some were carrying crosses, while others were lashing themselves. These were done to show one's sincerity, to show that one is already
nagsisisi. This kind of practice has been a tradition in the Philippines for countless years already.
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| Their sacrifice was an act of sincerity |
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| A child of about 5 years seems to be speechless with what he saw. |
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| Anticipating more blows from the locals |
Hours after witnessing the bloody
penitensya, we had to wait for the
senakulo. Together with the other locals, we patiently sat on our bench and waited.
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| Waiting for the senakulo |
In the afternoon, there was a senakulo. It is a re-enactment of the sufferings of Christ hours before his death. Usually, the characters are portrayed by locals dressed in costumes of wonderful colors and textures.
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| A Roman soldier |
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| Three actors having a conversation before they portray their roles |
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| Pontius Pilate questioning Jesus about the accusations pressed against him. |
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| Roman soldier taking Jesus to the next station |
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| Pontius Pilate talking to his general |
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| One of the Roman cavalry |
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| The area of re-enactment is very much congested |
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| An actor portraying a role |
By the time the sun has set, we were told about the prusisyon (procession of saints) to be done at around 7pm. According to our foster family, no one was allowed to stay inside the house when the saints come passing by.
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| The streets were filled with light as the procession took place. |
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| Our Lady of Sorrows |
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| The candle illuminated the face of a child. |
April 23. Black Saturday.
The day was planned for a trip to Mt. Samat, a mountain in Pilar, Bataan. With our 18-seater van, we headed to the Dambana ng Kagitingan which was located at the summit of the said mountain. It was actually a memorial cross for the Filipino and the American soldiers who fought for our country. The said cross stands 90 feet tall! Though the guard there says that you can actually see Manila Bay, Corregudor and even Manila from the view above, I didn't.
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| (L-R) Kim, my sister and Ixen, my sister's bestfriend |
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| Halfway to the summit |
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| Dambana ng Kagitingan |
Three long hours later, we're off to Morong! That's at the farthest of Bataan. I'd like the sandy shores of Bataan under my feet.
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| (L-R) Ate Roquit, Shanice, I forgot her name, Marco, Eddyson, Camille, Kim |
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| Fishing boat at bay |
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| Aren't they the cutest? (L-R) Erikson, Shanice |
We stayed at a resort called Phi-Phi Resort. According to management, it just opened three weeks ago. So high were our expectation, but then came reality. It wasn't exactly the best resort around. Honestly, I'd give it a thumbs down. White corals resort is so much better. It was a good thing that they shared the same shoreline which was pretty short. In the short coastline, there were around four or more resorts?
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