Observing Lent in Subic: Safe
and Activity-Filled
The Philippine Lenten season is one
of the most sought-after time amongst every Filipinos. This season reminds Filipinos of their
spiritual responsibilities as they recall Jesus’ passion on the cross. Many would go back to their own provinces and
take time to be with their families.
They travel up north and far down south by plane, bus and ship just to
be home at last.
Meanwhile, many Filipinos also take
this opportunity to visit places, tour the country and experience each region’s
way of celebrating Lent. More than an
escape from the stressful work back in their respective offices, Filipinos
travel to see different churches, bond with families through a variety of
adventure activities and relive the culture that’s religious-bound.
One of the most rewarding places to
be is in Subic, Philippines. The Subic
Bay Freeport is considered the heart of Subic where most tourist frequent. This is because lent in Subic is filled with
lined-up week-long programs intended for local and foreign visitors coming over
the Holy Week.
Every year the authorities of the
Subic Bay Freeport Zone come up with activities to make the tourists’ visit to
Subic worthwhile and they have been successful at maintaining visitors’
interest to visit Subic.
However, this year, the authorities
doubled their effort as they have anticipated a very large number of visitors
come April.
New and modern activities are
integrated with traditional programs
For instance, this year according to
the reports, the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), is conducting a
trade fair for different concessionaires of Central Luzon products from April 4
to 8, Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Plus an acoustic night will be
staged on April 4 and 5, and “Hataw Sayaw” dance competition on Black Saturday,
April 7.
Blessing of the Palms on April 1 is
opening the kick-off activity that will be followed by the traditional “Pabasa”
at the Subic Chapel that will run until April 7.
A grand procession will be staged
around the Central Business District of the free port on Holy Wednesday, and a
re-dramatization of the “Last Supper” followed by a mass is happening on the
5th of April.
Lenten rites of the Walk to Calvary,
the Stations of the Cross, and Veneration of the Cross are the other
traditional activities frequently participated by devotees in Subic.
Further, Good Friday in Subic also
has grand procession and a “healing concert” by the Bethesda Springs of Hope
Healing Ministry. Black Saturday features
a “Healing through the Way of the Cross Meditation,” and the Paschal Mystery
plus a Black Saturday concert at Subic’s Boardwalk Park.
The traditional “Salubong” and
Easter Mass end the whole Holy Week observance.
Children also get to participate in the Holy Week observance as
egg-hunting activity and release of Easter banners and balloons will be shared
with them.
While all these activities are
happening, visitors are assured that their safety is being prioritized as
information and emergency booths prepared by groups of authorities in Subic
make it appoint that the visitors’ stay in Subic would be peaceful just as they
have always maintained years ago.