Holy Week: Procession, Hanginan and Monte Cueva (April 23, 2011)

After long months of work and school, I think Holy Week was the longest vacation so far. It was not just a time for vacation and relaxation but a perfect opportunity to count all the blessings that we received, not entirely be “holy” but at least be good and do some sacrifice to feel what Jesus suffered to save humankind.

Good Friday Procession

I grew up with the Good Friday procession as a tradition. It is one of the events where the family is gathered as one, behind San Pedro because as they usually say, “para mauna ta ug abot.” Unfortunately, this year, we were not able to line behind Sr. San Pedro because it rained. After a short wait, the rain stopped and then we proceeded to the line down Magsaysay Avenue, 30 de Deciembre Street, a short turn at A. Mabini Street and back to the Church.

It is amusing to watch people holding their candles while candidly walking despite the slight rain. It is also an opportune time to meet friends and familiar faces, where a mere nod and an exuberant smile without any words is enough to utter everything—for this time is for the Lord.

After the walk, the kissing of the “santo entiero” followed. We lined up to take turns. One observation which I want to point is the attitude of our local officials who come last but maneuvers themselves through the long line and reach the dead Christ’s body first. This is not a good example for the youth and the children, I thought everyone is equal in the eyes of God? I know some of the people there just do not have the temerity to protest because they (local officials) are in the position but if these were just ordinary people, for sure a debacle was underway. Anyway, that does not deserve to be discussed here (out of topic).

Black Saturday

 As planned, we went to Hanginan in Southern Leyte on Black Saturday. Agreement was to meet up at 5am at the terminal but time is relative (you know what I mean…hehehe) but we were able to leave while the sun was not yet up.

I decided not to sleep on the duration of the travel so I won’t miss the picturesque sceneries along the way and maybe because of the drive because by far this will only be my second time to go up the famous chapel above the mountain. Actually, my first was way back when I was in grade 4, that was long time ago and I do not even have much memories about it anymore.

 When we passed the Municipality of Matalom, we saw the traditional early dawn station of the cross. It was assuring to learn that many people still practice their religious beliefs and rituals but I have observed that most of the participants were the older ones, where are the youths and the youngsters? Maybe deep asleep in the comforts of their homes, I should say. I came to contemplate about my own spiritual journey. I, similar to children of my generation and friends of my age have come to this Earth exposed to the religion that we were born with. At that very age, we can say that we have no choice because we have to obey what we are told and follow what the elders believe and practice. I became an altar servant mainly because of my mother’s persistence and partly because of my curiosity to know more about the operations of the church. It did open my eyes to facts, realities, doctrines and dogmas of the Church but I cannot say that it strengthened my spiritual maturity. As I grew up, I inquired, I questioned, I became critical not to the beliefs but to why people believe differently. If there is only one God, why are there so many religions? And things like that. I learned to compare and distinguish different religious beliefs. I am a Roman Catholic and I am proud of that. I have attended services by other denominations and religious movements like the Baptist, Adventist, Aglipay, Krishna Consciousness, to name a few and I am fulfilled because through such exposure I was able to slowly find answers to my questions. In this journey I have observed that religion and politics (referring to the government system) have something in common—inequality of rank and position. Both are advanced forms of organizations composed of rigid stratification where rank, position and power is the considered a paramount agenda. In both, there is a divide between the persons in power and the persons to whom the power is exercised (those who are ruled). In both, the persons in power enjoy more privilege and are accorded with utmost respect and sometimes fear by the persons ruled. In both, rules, regulations and laws are strictly implemented to govern and promote social order. The main difference is that accordingly, in religion the spiritual aspect is the main concern while in politics the secular life is the center of interest. Nonetheless, this may be the reason why since time immemorial the Church and the State have always been in conflict or should I say in control and balance! So much with the serious topic (I have not yet completed that study),  I have learned that indeed people worship the same God but this God may take different forms and names. By allowing myself to understand each religion’s or religious movement’s beliefs I was able to synthesize and realize that I should never be confused because in the end we are still worshipping the same Supreme Being. Through the blessings and the challenges by which God gave me, I can now say that I am stronger than before. I grew more mature in terms of spiritual understanding and in appreciating what I have now--like this opportunity, this lifetime, these friends, my family, my work, my studies and countless others. After being engrossed in deep thoughts for quite sometime, I realized that we already arrived at the Maasin City Bus Terminal.

Hanginan
Maasin City Bus Terminal did not look as I expected, it was almost bare but maybe it was because of the holiday. I am overwhelmed by the fervor that the local government officials showed to put an end to smoking and the derivative risks that nicotine bring through declaring itself as a “no smoking city”. It must have been hard for that means loss in income but this proves that if there is a will there is a way. We commissioned a tricycle to take us to the base point to San Francisco Xavier Chapel in Barangay Hanginan. At P10 pesos each, the ride was worth it. At about 6:30 am we started the trek to the chapel. It was a smooth walk at first but eventually we encountered uncemented pavements which made the walk more challenging. Along the way, interesting notices can be observed. At the bus terminal, the charge for using the comfort rooms was P2 but as we went higher, the charge for its use also increased from P3 to P5. Does this mean something? I do not know but what matters is the fact that Filipinos really find entrepreneurial ways in every extant opportunity. They are sensitive to the demands of the people passing by, thus the supply for comfort rooms have increased [law of supply and demand at its crude application]. Another notable observation is the prevalence of posters and tarpaulins advertising a particular educational institution (I won’t name names but the pictures will speak for it) which as of the very moment that we were there, together with the foil packs and cellophane wrappers are scattered as rubbish spoiling nature’s beauty. It is both the responsibility of the pilgrims and the owners of these products or institutions causing these advertisements to maintain the cleanliness of the place. In addition to the efforts of the barangay officials, we should also help. This is not a one way responsibility but a consensual and united duty imposed upon all of us! I hope next time, all I can see are natural wastes not synthetic plastics and printed papers.  There really is learning anywhere. I so love this trip!

The Chapel is located at the top of the mountain so you have to walk several kilometers to reach it. Habal habal or motorcycles are available but it would defeat the purpose of sacrifice. Resting posts or cottages are provided so you can stop and sit for a while, there are parts which are cemented and there are others that are not, all you have to do is enjoy. During our ascent, we met some familiar faces who were on their descent, they have been there earlier. One advice which they gave is never to say “kapoy or I’m tired” because it will add to your burden and you will reach the chapel at a slower pace in a longer period of time. So there was an unwritten rule not to say the “words that should not be said.”

The green mountain was awesome! The 300 plus-step stairs that were at times steep never failed to amaze me. We stepped on them one by one, while striking a pose in between. For about 2 hours we reached the Chapel, filled with sweat and hungry but fulfilled and satisfied that at last we reached our destination. We took our bows and said our individual prayers and intentions. The Chapel had relatively improved, thanks to the kind hearted donors. We got the chance to be touched by the image of San Francisco Xavier. The feeling was unexplainable that no words of this language can describe what it is.

We ate our official breakfast at a nearby carenderia. To supplement our own food, we bought 2 bowls full of stewed native chicken. It was delectable! After eating and taking numerous pictures we started our descent. I will just take the chance to post the picture that we took of these fellows here since the email address that she gave me does not exist according to google.

We felt more blessed because upon reaching the foreground we were able to pray over and kiss the image of the crucified Christ as it was being taken around the place.

Monte Cueva
Since it was still 10am, we decided to proceed to Monte Cueva. We took another tricycle ride to the place and to our surprise we took a considerable mileage. We started our trek towards the place by following the arrows posted and by once in a while stopping to get instructions from the locals. The place was superb! You have to pass through a bridge with clear waters flowing and then see the vast green meadow and the image of Mary. It was perfect for people on spiritual journey, it was a perfect time for the occasion and it fell exactly according to our plan. The Chapel is located at the top of the mountain so you have to go up through several, several, several steps of stairs. There actually is a station of the cross on each stop, so you can sit or kneel and pray. However, as the altitude increased the difficulty also increased. We had to catch our breath and held tightly on the railings to support ourselves. The stairs have also begun to become steeper to the point that Abigail had to crawl her way up.

The sight above was more beautiful, even magical. It was then that we realized where the place got its name—Mountain Cave or Cave in a mountain. There was a small cave which they transformed into a chapel. It was made of stones yet solemn, it was simple yet grand, it was surreal actually.

After lighting up our candles and saying our respective prayers and intentions, we took off and started our descent. We walk again down, just like in Hanginan, the descent is more challenging because gravity will pull you down, It requires full control and concentration in the midst of the impending rain and the hungry stomach.

We reached the bus terminal without finding any stalls which sell some delicacies so we were contented with the chips and biscuits that we brought along. We left the place bringing with us an incomparable holy week experience. We will be back, that’s a promise!

Adsum

May 25, 2011

8:45 am