Some thoughts on a Good Friday - memories of Holy Weeks past, the crisis in Iran and Alay Lakad

Good Fridays in the past have had me in my father's hometown in Cabatuan, Iloilo. We usually flew in on a Wednesday to get settled in and do the routine visits to nearby relatives before the Holy Week activities start on Maundy Thursday. Thursday late afternoon to evening would be for the Mass commemorating the washing of the feet. This was always a long celebration with the parish priest washing the feet of apostles usually played by town elders (during election years, these would be candidates for the local positions). Tatay and his friends jokingly refer to the Mass as "misang Batman," referring to the priest vestments that they compare with the superhero's cape/costume.  The Last Supper commemoration is separate and held after this Mass. Good Fridays usually involved the Stations of the Cross in the morning to a hill in town that symbolizes Calvary. This was at Balic, which was at those times a rural part of the town past the Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School. In the afternoon, there is the procession featuring carrozas depicting the passion of Christ and the characters involved. Most prominent for me here were the antique images of the Santo Entiero and the Mater Dolorosa. During and after the procession, we usually went around to check out the temporary chapels set-up for the stations of the cross around town. There was usually a competition and winners were announced on Easter Sunday Mass.

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Iran has been in our minds lately, and mainly because of the attacks by the US and Israel that have led to a crisis now experienced by most of the world. Personally I have friends in Iran and I can't help but wonder how they are doing now. One of my closest friends at university in Japan was from Iran. We shared many experiences as foreign students in Japan and he was always kind, gracious and respectful. They (ordinary people) don't have means to communicate to the outside world. Internet is down and with the crisis still unresolved, I can only pray that he and his family are okay.

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Estimates stated that there were more than 6 million people (6.66M according to one estimate) who participated in the Alay Lakad to Antipolo yesterday, Maundy Thursday, until the early morning of today, Good Friday. Most of these people are of voting age, which I assume based on the physical capability needed to do the Alay Lakad. I wonder who among these voted wisely in the past 2 elections and who they will be voting for in 2028. These thoughts came to my mind as Alay Lakad is supposed to be a panata and for 'good'. Whose good exactly? Is it the selfish kind or the good of many (and by many I am not referring to just relatives and friends of those who did the Alay Lakad)? Were they really pilgrims or devotees or just there for the thrill of the experience or adventure?

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Classic Filipino breakfast during the Holy Week break

The Holy Week break allowed for some good breakfasts. On regular days, our breakfasts were quick, short meals. We had to leave early for school (to drop off our daughter) and then to our office afterwards. So we had to have something we could eat or drink in a short period of time. For me, that would be some cereal drink. And I frequently just get some rice and viand in a food container to have my full breakfast at the office. And so this break has provided a welcome change in pace and an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate. Filipino breakfasts have some variety across regions but the more common ones involve local sausages, dried fish, eggs and, of course, rice.

Ingredients for a silog breakfast - longganisa, dried fish and eggs. Plus some sinamak for dip.

The longganisa (local sausage) from Tuguegarao, Cagayan was a pasalubong

Dried fish (tuyo and espada) and squid

 

Breaks like this are always welcome. These are re-energizing and allows for activities other than office or school related ones. Still, there is the specter of the resumption of the same come Monday after Easter so we have to make the most of the break including these breakfasts.

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A sad end to March 2026 - the passing of two great men

Last week, two great men passed away. Their accomplishments speak for themselves and they left their legacies for people to use and learn from even after they have passed. I just wanted to mark their passing as an important note here on my blog. 

Paalam Dr. Cornie Banaag, the Father of Child Psychiatry in the Philippines. I got to know of Doc Cornie as a neighbor whom I enjoyed a few walks with around our village. He loved to talk about life and shared his thoughts about the state of mental health especially among children or youth in general. We occasionally met in other cities where he happened to be a resource person in seminars and I happened to be working on projects.

Paalam Mr. Roger Murga, accomplished engineer whose accomplishments in the construction industry led to the realization of major infrastructure projects including the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). I came to know him as he was a childhood friend of my father. They grew up in Cabatuan, Iloilo and went to the same High School.

Our deepest sympathies go with their families.

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