I grew up in a pretty religious family, but I had never heard of “Maundy Thursday” until my first trip to the Philippines. I made the mistake of coming during Holy Week. I remember landing in Cebu, checking into my hotel, then taking a walk around the neighborhood, and just about everything was closed. I asked someone what was going on, and they gave me a look like I was stupid before saying, “Maundy.” Really? I thought it was Thursday. Anyway, the story has a happy ending— I found an open bar and even brought a girl back to the hotel that night. She was up before dawn, and I asked her what her hurry was. She told me she was going to attend the Good Friday mass. Fuck me, I said under my breath. “I already did,” she said with a shrug. Okay, that last part I just made up, but I remember thinking it’s weird to be a religious prostitute.
Yesterday’s Maundy was much more mundane. Swan and I did a 5K morning walk.
Later, we went into town for a foot spa.
After the foot spa, we headed to Jewel Cafe for dinner. We were the only customers, and we both ordered the baby back ribs. I had a beer while we waited. And waited. I’m thinking, why is it taking so long if we are the only ones here. Then I saw what was happening. The kitchen was pumping out orders in take-out boxes, and the Grab drivers were picking them up for delivery. Ah, the 21st century. Even when you are the only one present, everyone connected is ahead of you in line. Swan was planning to meet up with a girlfriend after dinner, so we finally just asked for our food to be boxed like everyone else’s and took it with us. That’s twice I’ve managed to skip dinner since I began the Ozempic regimen.
We went to Sloppy Joe’s for the meet-up, and the joint was packed. A big pool tournament was going on, and our preferred street-side seats weren’t available. We ordered a beer and a glass of wine while we waited for the friend, and then Swan saw another friend from the neighborhood heading to the Alaska Club with her hubby, so we decided to join them there. And there I was, the only guy at a table with three Filipinas chirping away in Tagalog. Good times!
At the appointed hour, we said our goodnights and departed for home, where a bowl of sugar-free pudding was waiting for me. It served as my last supper.
Continuing on with the June 2018 LTG archives, after six weeks in the Philippines, I finally had my first date with a gal I met at Alley Cats named Marissa. Long-time readers will recall she was destined to become my first girlfriend here. It turned out to be quite the roller-coaster ride.
I’m a big “Lord of the Rings” fan, having read the books multiple times (including reading them aloud to wife #3). I also enjoyed the Peter Jackson films more than once. They were also well done. Today’s YouTube video shares a scene I admittedly missed, or at least didn’t pick up on the context of the moment. And now I have.
Funny you should say that…
Yeah, I’ve had enough, too.
The folk etymology of “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” is that it comes from the French “maudit,” meaning “cursed.” The real etymology, though, is this (from Etymonline.com):
You see the “mand” root in words like mandate, command, commander, demand, etc.
I guess people thought of “cursed/maudit” because Maundy Thursday is the night—right after the Last Supper—that Jesus was betrayed and imprisoned. Christians contend the Last Supper was a Jewish Passover Seder, but I’ve heard some Jews argue that the form of the supper was all wrong for a Seder, which usually involves bitter herbs, charoset (which is good!), eggs, and other food to remind the Jews of their bitter period of bondage in Egypt.
We name the days of Holy Week in the Presbyterian Church; it’s not just a Catholic thing, but I guess different Protestant denominations have their own ways of handling Holy Week. I bet your minister knew what the days were. Here’s the AI god’s rendition of the week for 2026:
Days of Holy Week 2026
Palm Sunday (April 13): Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Holy Monday (April 14): Jesus clears the Temple.
Holy Tuesday (April 15): Jesus teaches and preaches.
Holy Wednesday (April 16): Judas agrees to betray Jesus.
Maundy Thursday (April 17): Last Supper and betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday (April 18): Crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
Holy Saturday (April 19): Jesus in the tomb.
Easter Sunday (April 20): Resurrection of Jesus.
Anyway, have a good Easter weekend.
Kevin, thanks for the etymology of Maundy and the lowdown of Holy Week. Back in my Pentecostal church-going days, I only recall Good Friday and Easter Sunday having any significance.
Even after almost eight years here in the Catholic Philippines, I am still impressed by the sight of the back-beaters and cross-bearers marching down the road. I also got to watch a huge foot parade on the shoulder of the National Highway pulling over 20 floats full of religious imagery, featuring that Jesus Christ guy that got murdered 2000 years ago.
I assume that Swan, like most of Filipinos, is Catholic? Is she religious, or like me, Catholic in name only?
Brian, welcome back!
Yes, Swan is Catholic. She doesn’t attend Mass, but does other rituals. On Good Friday, she went to a shrine of the Virgin Mary with some friends. So, something more than name only, but not quite practicing.