Holy week is considered a major holiday in the Philippines. Most businesses declare half day starting Wednesday to observe the Lenten Season. Malls are closed for 2 days starting Holy Thursday and open on Saturday afternoon. Yes, its like Memorial weekend to the nth degree. When I told Mike that malls are closed he starts to panic and rushed to SM (the superstore) to get loads of groceries and cash. I told him that no one stacks up on food here during holy week, or when there’s typhoon, or even flood. It’s like telling the cab driver to put on his seatbelt. He gave me a weird look 🙂
As part of the catholic tradition, Filipinos spent the Holy week reading the “pasyon.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasyon or doing the “Visita Iglesia”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Churches_Visitation . It’s been a long time since I participated in this practice, having lived in the US for 14 years.
Tomorrow is Good Friday and who knows, i might be able to do the Visita Iglesia. Right now, I have no desire to go outside — it is HOT!
Immersion in Language and Culture 