A Bright Celebration with
Easter Traditions in the Philippines

Easter is a beautiful celebration that honours Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. For many Catholics, it's a tradition where they come together and raise their prayers to God, seeking peace and joy. Everyone involved embraces a spirit of goodness while participating in meaningful customs and enjoying delightful meals, making Easter a joyful celebration of faith and happiness. The Philippines Easter Traditions invite you to pray for Jesus and joyfully celebrate His resurrection after the crucifixion.

Easter celebration in the Philippines symbolises hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ's resurrection. For many, this is a wonderful opportunity for family bonding and experiencing vibrant cultural expressions while praying to Jesus for His pure deeds. This special occasion highlights the values of love, forgiveness, and the warm spirit of community.

How is Easter Celebrated in the Philippines?

Easter celebrations in the Philippines start during Holy Week, usually in the second week of April. The Filipino Catholic community performs its customs as it anticipates Easter Sunday. They celebrate easter in the following sequence in the Philippines:

• Easter begins with Palm Sunday, when families attend Mass and bring palm fronds to celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
• Linggo ng Palaspas is an essential event in the Catholic liturgical calendar. You might locate palms in local homes for blessings and protection during this period.
• On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, locals visit seven different churches and make a prayer with purity (Visita Iglesia).
• Good Friday brings with it a beautiful tradition called the Senakulo. Here, local Filipino theater groups come together to perform an emotional act on Jesus Christ.
• On Saturday night during Holy Week, churches hold a special gathering called the Easter Vigil, during which devotees light the Paschal candle and thank Him for their efforts.
• To complete the celebration, families come together on Easter Sunday and make prayers with innocent thoughts.
• At last, they enjoy a celebratory meal featuring traditional dishes like ham, leche flan, and bibingka.
• The Catholic community also participates in the Salubong, a pre-dawn ritual that reenacts the meeting between the risen Christ and His mother, Mary.

After understanding the Guide on Easter traditions in the Philippines, you can easily interact with a blend of faith, culture, and community. From the solemnity of Holy Week to the joyous Easter Sunday celebrations, these spiritual customs reflect the beliefs of Christians living in the Philippines.

Read Also: Tourist Attractions in Philippines

Marinduque's Moriones Festival

Join your soul with Marinduque's Moriones Festival. It is a week-long festival that coincides with Easter. The festival celebrates Longinus, a brave Roman soldier who declared his faith in Jesus. During this festival, people dress up as Roman soldiers, wearing the iconic wooden Moriones masks. You can experience the act that symbolises Longinus' journey, including his capture and beheading, bringing the story to life in a memorable way.

Pampanga

Locally known as mandarame, symbolising Good Friday's crucifixion, devotees carry heavy wooden crosses to a hill where they reenact Jesus' crucifixion using long, sterilised nails. Many other devotees choose to walk barefoot and half-naked, whipping themselves with bamboo sticks tied to rope. Mostly, it is a ritual to show faith in Jesus and take pride in their belief.

If you are looking for peace, you must head to Pangasinan. The city is home to numerous churches; visit each church and identify its significance. Pray to God and ask for forgiveness for your wrong deeds. After performing the Easter customs, you can head to Bantayan for fun and serene beaches. Bantayan invites you to relax after the intense week of fasting and reflection.