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Holy Week in Puerto Galera

Are you considering Holy Week in Puerto Galera?

In the week leading up to Easter Sunday, Puerto Galera will be buzzing with excitement for Senaku (Holy Week). With religious ceremonies and processions of the stages of the cross, the whole place will be exploding with culture and excitement as it is one of the busiest holidays in Puerto Galera and in all of the Philippines for that matter. Groups and families from all over the Philippines will be traveling either back home for the week-long holiday or to visit the various islands and vacation spots dotted all over the Philippine islands. Puerto Galera is no exception to this as it is very close to the biggest metropolitan city in the Philippines Manila.

Since this is also the biggest professional holiday in the Philippines, everyone will be jumping at the chance to get out of the city and hit the beach. Everybody wants to spend Holy Week in Puerto Galera.

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week (Filipino: Mahal Na Araw; Spanish: Semana Santa) is a significant religious observance for the country’s Roman Catholic majority, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the Philippine Independent Church, and most Protestant groups.

It begins on Palm Sunday and continues on through to Black Saturday. Many communities observe Spanish-influenced Catholic rituals such as processions, that have been syncretized with elements of pre-colonial beliefs. This is evident in some ritual practices not sanctioned by the universal Church and many superstitions are associated with the occasion.

The days of the Easter Triduum (Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday) are considered statutory holidays. During this period, many businesses are closed or operate on shorter hours. Local terrestrial television and most radio stations usually go off the air, while others (such as stations owned by various denominations) cut their broadcasting hours and feature Lenten drama specials, religious and inspirational programming, as well as news coverage of various services and rites. International cable television channels distributed to the Philippines, however, continue to broadcast their normal programming while those based in the country follow a specially arranged schedule during the period, with the exception of channels dedicated to horse racing, cockfighting, and the like that remain dormant for the duration of the period.

The Holy Week date is in the month of April, Philippines Holy week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. This week businesses here in the Philippines are either closed or have a late opening and earlier closing times as part of the annual observance.

The holy week consists of:

  • Palm Sunday
  • Holy Wednesday
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Black Saturday
  • Easter Sunday

Holy Week Schedule

Thousands of devotees will gather to their respective churches attending a mass with palm leaves to be blessed by the priest.

After the mass, people take their blessed palm leaves home and hang them in the window or door in the belief that the leaves can bring good luck and can remove negativity in the house.

Next, is the Holy Week Wednesday or (Miyérkules Santo) also known as “Spy Wednesday”, is the day where Judas betrayed Jesus in exchange for money and is officially the last working day for the week. Private companies are free to give full or partial holidays to their employees making it one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.

Maundy Thursday commemorates the celebration of the last supper. Devotees celebrate this by attending a night mass with family or friends. One of the most important Holy Week traditions in the Philippines is the Visita Iglesia (Spanish for “church visit”, also known as the Seven Churches Visitation). Throughout the day, worshipers pray the Stations of the Cross inside or outside the church, while at night, the faithful pay obeisance and perform supplications to the Blessed Sacrament within the Altar of Repose

The next day is where Jesus was tortured and crucified, called Good Friday. People celebrate this by attending a procession that includes some of the devotees who perform self-flagellate and even have themselves crucified as a self-sacrifice to fulfill their vow or as a thanksgiving for their granted prayers.

This continues up until Easter Sunday. On Easter, Sunday businesses like malls and hotels arrange some activities for people that come on Easter Sunday. Activities like Easter egg hunting, egg paintings, and some fun performances.

Basically, it’s the day where all the grief ends and time for celebrations for the Christ reborn.

Holy Week in Puerto Galera

There are so many places around Puerto Galera you can go and stay during holy week, but we’ve listed out a few of the most popular places below which will give you a head start on your research for Puerto Galera Holy Week Packages.

With White Beach and Sabang Beach within 15 minutes of each other and a literal laundry list of fun activities, Puerto Galera is definitely going to be a hot spot this year. Everyone will be enjoying the beach, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, jungle trekking, jet-skiing, banana boating, kayaking and much more! This is only during the day.

Once night falls, you’ll find a vibrant nightlife with tons of shows, bars, and clubs to check out. See the fire dancers on the beach. Grab a chair at one of the bakla shows, hilarious entertainment. Get a drink at one of the many bars or get your dance on in the clubs in Sabang.

The above days and activities are being celebrated in Holy Week and Puerto Galera Holy Week is not much different though many come here from the cities to get out of the city. Most people follow this annual tradition, but for some, this is the time to take a break and relax. After attending a mass they just stay at home or go out of town with family and friends.

Since this is also the biggest professional holiday in the Philippines, everyone will be jumping at the chance to get out of the city and hit the beach. Everybody wants to enjoy the Puerto Galera holy week.

Hotels, resorts, and restaurants are more likely fully booked this week. So if you are planning to come for Puerto Galera Holy Week I suggest you book your accommodation ahead of time as soon as possible.

Puerto Galera Holy Week Package

If you’re looking to have a fantastic time and book a Puerto Galera Holy Week Package with BADLADZ, contact us today before we sell out. Book now at BADLADZ for great rates and a fantastic resort experience. We would love to have you and help make your holiday a fun and memorable one during this great week.

Cheers!

Sean

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