Crucifixion Reenactment in Philippines

I grew up in a family and in a town where the occasion of Lent is strictly observed. On our family the tradition is to do the  Lent Procession, Pasyon or Pabasa and  Visita Iglesia (Church Visit), it never crossed my mind that I can experience an event that is "Holier", more "solemn" and more religious than our Visita Iglesia. I'm talking about the Crucifixion Reenactment at San Pedro Cutod  Pampanga. This is not the normal play that can be seen all around the world, this is one of the unique events that can be found only in the Philippines.  

Let me show you the reasons why...

The reenactment at Cutod will show you the real thing, when we say the real thing it means the they will repeat everything that happened to Jesus Christ including the Crucifixion, real crucifixion.


Early in the morning locals starts doing the penitence by walking around the town and continuously doing the self flagellation. 

It has been a tradition for most of the guys to join the long procession specially the ones who want repent from their sins.

Even small kids are joining the procession and participates in the flagellation.

Once in a while the guys will stop and utter their prayers in front of the chapel of the church.

The main event is the Crucifixion. It is what everybody is looks forward to.
I can say that I am one of the lucky people because I get the chance to meet main cast of the procession including Mr. Ruben Enaje who will play the part of Jesus Christ and the one to be crucified.

Mr. Ruben Enaje, he has been crucified since 1985. I got the chance to have a little chat with him and found out that this Crucifixion is his way of giving thanks for his second life, he survived without serious injuries when he fell out of a building where he is a construction worker.

In my hands are the nails that are being used for the crucifixion.

When you check Mr. Ruben's hands you will not believe that there isn't a single mark or scar from the nails that were used.

He is the one preparing for the nails to be used. He makes sure that it is sharp and clean to avoid infection.

While Mr. Ruben is preparing his stuffs, other cast are also preparing for the procession.

At exactly 12 o'clock the entire crew line up and prepare for the procession.

The procession will follow the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross. On each stop there will be a reenactment of the Station.

The procession will continue until they reach the hill where the crucifixion will take place.

Along the way we can still see men doing the self flagellation.

It is a bloody scene and even I got bloods from the flagellants.

We cannot endure too much heat from the sun so we didn't finish the procession and proceed directly to the hill.
(We are in VIP area very near to the crucifixion site)

We sat there and waited for the procession. Here you can still see other devotees who volunteered to be crucified.

The procession arrived still following the script of the play. You can feel mixed emotion from the crowd when Mr. Ruben who played Jesus Christ walked in the area. For me I cannot explain what I feel, I'm excited, scared, teary eyed, mix feelings are inside me.

Few lines and conversation are thrown, this made me think of how it feels like during the real crucifixion, where people were condemning Christ and he was suffering a lot from all the scars and bruises as well as the insults from people. What I am seeing was not eve 1% of the real one but the emotion I feel was too much.

The crucifixion finally took place. Considering the number of people present you can still hear the painful shout of Mr. Ruben as the nails are hammered in his hands and feet, you can also hear the reaction of viewers in the background.

Slowly they raised the cross. Everyone fell quiet and it seems like each are offering their own prater and repentance.

This is such a sight to behold. Being there and seeing everything made that day one of the most unforgettable Holy week in my life.

If you want to have an up-close and VIP experience of this event please contact the details below:

Shaikha Travel and Tours Co.
Tel No: 02-4859696/ 02-5459977
Mobile: 09175928601
email: shaikha_travel@yahoo.com

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Philippines

To see a real Hot Air Balloon.. .. This is just one of my childhood dreams that I didn't know will happen. I'm living in the Philippines and this stuffs are usually seen in only in the movies or in books or in the internet.

 I actually forgot about this dream of mine, I grew up and here comes college. I was studying Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management and during one of our class discussions our Professor, Miss Yolanda Montaces informed us that currently Philippines is hosting the one and only Hot Air Balloon Festival in Asia, and that is happening in Clark Pampanga, the country has been hosting it for quite some years ago but I think it was not advertised like the way it is now so only few people knows about it. Upon hearing the good news I got excited think of ways how to get there but because I'm still a poor student during that time I wasn't able to go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Years passed and I graduated College. I was immediately employed in a travel agency located in Intramuros area. Part of my work is to develop new products or travel ideas for the company. This is the chance I've been waiting for a long time, the season for the hot Air Balloon Festival is coming so I made out a proposal for a tour on this Festival and luckily it was approved!

With months of preparation finally the Long wait is over. February 2012 arrived. I can still remember my excitement while I was travelling to the area where the event is about to take place. We arrived there at around 5:00 in the morning, it was very early but I am very much awake. We patiently waited at the viewing area, slowly the 4 by 4 jeeps arrive one by one carrying the things needed to set-up the balloons. 

Preparation for the Balloons

Balloon burners starting to light the area

The program officially started and from the background the National Anthem of the Philippines played. A plane got near to the event area and suddenly around five or more skydivers jump from it. We were surprised to see that one person is carrying a very huge flag of the Philippines. Seeing the flag being blown by the wind was very breath taking and it is a rare experience to have a Flag Ceremony of this kind.

The Flag of the Philippines

The most awaited moment finally came. The balloons are all prepared in the ground and slowly being inflated.

Balloons Preparing to Fly

I was expecting only the normal shaped balloons and to my surprise there are different shapes as well.

Mr. Sun

The flight of the balloons was like magic to me. I suddenly realize that one of my dreams finally came true and it's in front of me. I was like a little child who is enjoying a balloon but this time a very different one.

Flight of the Balloons

Suddenly the Hot-air balloon became like a yearly tradition for our company. We wanted to share the experience we had to different people.

A wonderful experience for the YOUNG ONES

YOUNG AT HEARTS

Perfect Family Bonding

This year (2014) will be a different Hot Air Balloon Festival, it was themed "It's more than just Hot Air. It's a celebration of life in times of adversity". The festival will not just showcase the famous hot air balloon but it also aims to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Part of the proceeds will be allotted to rehabilitate the areas damaged by typhoon. 

This photo was taken during last year's Festival. It was recovered by our friend, Mam Nice, from the remains of Typhoon Yolanda

This will be a great year to visit the Hot Air Balloon Festival because aside from enjoying this one of a kind experience you will also get a chance to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

For details on how to be part of this Festival please contact:
Shaikha Travel and Tours Co.
Tel No: 02-4859696/ 02-5459977
Mobile: 09175928601
email: shaikha_travel@yahoo.com




Credits to Mr. MJ Ebuen fro some of the Pictures 

BALER, AURORA

The province of Aurora formerly called "Tayabas" is one of the perfect place for a weekend getaway, especially the town of Baler, a town that is full of history and adventure......

How to get there?

From Manila  it is advisable to leave at around 2 or 3 in the morning so that you will arrive early and have enough time to explore the place. Travel time time will take around 5 to 7 hours depending on the class of bus and stopovers. Along the way you will start seeing scenery that is already worth the trip.

Rice grains scattered along the road

A view of Pantabangan Dam along the highway

Tourist Spots


Caunayan Falls

 The place is a bit far the Town of Baler but it worth the long travel because of its clear waters that is perfect for dipping or swimming.

Balete Tree

This is the largest Balete tree in Asia, it will take about 60 men to make a circle around the tree.Aside from being the largest it is also one of the oldest tree in the Philippines standing as long as 600 years. That makes the tree a living witness of the Philippines colorful history.

Aurora Municipal Building

Here stands the statue of Aurora Aragon Quezon. She was the wife of the 2nd President of the Philippines, Manuel Quezon.Aurora was the first to be called "First Lady" in the Philippines history. The province of Aurora was named after her for it her hometown.

Museo de Baler

This place is the seat of Baler's history and culture. Here you can see artifacts, arts and other collections that are significant to the town of Baler.

Aurora's House

This is the replica of Aurora Quezon's ancestral house located in front of the Baler Church. A small part of the house serves as the Tourism office of the town and the rest of the house exhibits cultural costumes and paintings.

Baler Church

A historical Landmark in Baler this is where the Siege during the Spanish occupation took place. Baler is the last Spaniard territory in the Philippines. Spanish soldiers refused to surrender not knowing that the Spain is no longer holding any power over the Philippines.

These footprints in front of the church signifies the uprising of Baler where the people walk from the Church going to Manila. Some says that these are Manuel Quezon's footprints and if you follow this it will lead to to the tourist destinations in Baler.

Ermita Hill

The highest peek of Baler where you can see the view of the entire town. This also serves as refuge site during the wars that happened in the Philippine History.

"Tromba Marina" This can be seen at the foot of Ermita Hill,depicting the survival of 6 families from the tsunami that hits Baler on December 27, 1735.

Scenic view of Baler from the top of Ermita Hill

Lukso-Lukso Islets

Group of islets that are connected to the mainland. Named "lukso-lukso" by the local because of its peculiar distance from each other.

Rocks formations on the seashore.

Surfing.....

Your visit to be Baler will never be complete it you will not try Surfing for it is dubbed as the "Surfing capital of the Philippine". Waves are not too big and scary.Whether your a surfer or not you will be able to experience the waves, surfing lessons are being offered around the area complete with surfing suits, surfing board and of course instructors.

Baler is one of the must see place in the Philippines because of the natural beauty and the adventure that it offers. Just like in every destinations that I've been to I'm looking forward to the day that i will be back on this place and again see the wonders that only Baler can offer.

Galleria Taal

By simply looking at the structure of this antique house, you might say that this is just the same with other antique houses lined in the streets of Taal. But as the saying goes, “don’t judge the book by its cover”.

Galleria Taal was formerly owned by the Ilagan-Barnon family. It was built around 1870’s and served as home to Domingo Ilagan & Maria Martinez and their children Aniceto, Rosario, Candida, Conception, Julita and Juan. By the time the Ilagan siblings manage the house, Candida paid her brothers and sisters to gain the whole ownership of the house.

Candida was married to Antonio Barrion and they lived in Galleria Taal with their daughters. The family left the house when Candida passed away in 1975 since their daughters, had their own family in Manila. As time goes by, the beauty of the house faded until it became an eye sore to the village.

In the year 2004, Manny Inumerable, grandson of Candida, initiated the restoration of the house. It remained unoccupied and was only maintained by a caretaker. Later on Manny decided to use the house as a museum for his collection. It was opened for public last March 2010 under the name of Galleria de Taal.

This is not the usual collection of antique furniture that we used to see in ancestral houses, this museum showcases different kind of CAMERAS, literally CAMERAS from different places and period of time. I was totally awed upon seeing his collection. The cameras are not just for display because all that you will see inside the museum are in perfect condition, meaning they are all working and ready to take your pictures anytime J .

Here are some of the examples of Mr.Manny's Collection

CENTURY STUDIO CAMERA  : 1900

KODAK NO 2 BROWNIE F : 1901- 1931

KODAK VIEW CAMERA : 1905

GUNDLACH BANQUENT CAMERA : 1915

"the big black thing I'm holding is the film just imagine how big the films were during those times :) "

LEICA I C : 1931 GERMANY

KODAK JUNIOR SIX16 : 1934 USA

DEARDORFF 8X10 : 1950'S USA

KODAK RETINA IIA : 1951-1954 GERMANY

LEICA III F : 1952-9153 GERMANY

ROLLEIFLEX COLLECTION : 1950's GERMANY

ROYAL 35-M : 1957 JAPAN

" according to our guide this was the first camera of Mr. Manny given to him by his uncle"

PENTAX SPOTMATIC SP-250 : 1964 JAPAN

NIKON F-250 :1968 JAPAN

CANON FTB QL : 1971 JAPAN

NIKON F2S-250 : 1973 JAPAN

CANON F-1N 1976-1981 JAPAN

NIKON FA : 1984 JAPAN

"the one in the center is a 24 karat gold camera, just imagine how much it cost"

Inside the museum are almost hundred pieces of different cameras, it was only half of the collection of Mr. Manny. Well if your one of those people who's getting addicted to photography you might as well plan a visit in this place to a glimpse of a little history of the photography world and be inspired at the same time with this collection.

 BAYANIHAN 

"one of the photographs that can be seen inside the building"

"Happy Traveling"