Exploring the Philippines and Asia - Good Friday, Santolan, Pasig

Mar was born and raised in Santolan, Pasig.  We knew that Holy Wednesday and Good Friday are observed in this small barangay seriously and hugely.  Many residents from this place own life-size statues of saints, Mary and Jesus Christ.  Patty and Choy, Mar's relatives, even own three life-size statues permanently located/situated in their living room.   So that when you enter their home, you are immediately in the company of these 3 elegantly dressed statues.  If you are not Catholic, you might be shocked if you enter their home.

Last year, we went to Santolan on Holy Wednesday to watch the procession.  This year, we went on Good Friday.  Procession, to Catholics, refers to when the Catholic Church holds a holy parade of all these statues on Holy Week.

People from Santolan say that Holy Wednesday procession is bigger with about 40 statues while Good Friday has about 30.

To me who has lived in Canada for 9 years now, it is unbelievable and overwhelming the number of people I saw who joined the procession and those thousands more who lined up and crowded the streets to watch.