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Philippine History: The traditional ‘Pabasa’ practice during Holy week


by Rachelyn Pabines




Philippines is one of a well-known country for its unique culture and tradition, especially when it comes to Faith where one of the largest population of believers are Filipinos.

Different beliefs and customs are practiced during a particular or significant occasion and one of the special event in the Philippine time is remembering the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ or probably celebrating during Holy week.

It is one of the important events that every Filipino people would never neglect for it is part of a tradition and culture that summed up Filipinos faith. Celebrating this kind of event in the Philippines requires various practices and one of the most common practices during Holy week is the ‘Pabasa’ or a chant - like songs that tells about the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and consist his seven last words or the ‘Siete Palabres’ before Jesus died.

The ‘Pabasa’ or chant is imported during Spanish era wherein it is started from Spanish missionaries, passed down from centuries and even now at the present time. It is a devotion of believers popular during Holy week, it is commonly a chanting ritual for remembrance of what Jesus Christ did thousand years ago.

The chant-like songs are verses that are based in the bible and it is done by group of devotees participated. It is accomplish by chanting the lines alternately, the chanting is continuous until they finished the whole book. The chants can be read in a slow monotonous tone or can be accompanied by instruments. The ritual may last for three days, it is usually started on First Sunday (Palm Sunday) and ended on Good Friday.

The ‘Pabasa ng Pasyon’ is one of the ‘Panata’ of devotees during holy week though it is the simplest way for repenting for sins yet it’s a way of sacrificing your time and reflecting for the life of Christ.

It is one of the treasured religious traditions that identify Filipino culture and practices as a unique way of presenting our faith.

Aside for the pabasa there are also unique customs that are practiced during holy week, some of these are the raising of the ‘palaspas’ a palm leaves into the air on Palm Sunday, the ‘Sinakulo’ a role play that narrates the life of Jesus, the ‘Penitensiya’ or the self-flagellations and crucifixions, and the ‘Salubong’ a welcoming for Christ’s resurrection that is done on the last day of holy week which is the Easter Sunday.

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