Holy week here in the Philippines is a really big deal. Even after all these years of living and visiting, it’s still shocking. Traffic on the highway was bumper-to-bumper most of the day yesterday, and the hotels and beaches are packed with people for the long holiday weekend.
I remember my first-ever visit to the PI back in 2007. After I landed in Cebu City and arrived at my hotel, I noticed that many stores and businesses were closed. I asked what was happening and was told, “It’s Maundy Thursday, sir.” Well, despite being raised in the church (Pentecostal), I had to look it up. I guess it’s more of a Catholic thing, but it is a national holiday here in the PI.
One of the local traditions on Good Friday in this area is people climbing to the top of Easter Mountain to watch the sunrise. Yeah, that means climbing that mother fucker in the dark. I guess they have faith that God will guide their footsteps and keep them safe. I’m acquainted with a few folks who made that trek today, and I’ve got some of their photographs to share:
Another tradition for Good Friday is self-flagellation. I must have seen a dozen or more guys walking down the road slapping their backs with a whip-like device.
Anyway, it’s just another weekend for me, although I guess some of the bars might not be open on Easter, including Hideaway. Also, there will not be an SOB competition tonight. I’m sure I’ll find plenty of available venues so as to avoid dehydration, though.
Here’s how I celebrated Maundy Thursday this year. I did a solo 8K valley walk, then had an early lunch at Sit-n-Bull.
As is becoming my Thursday evening tradition, I walked out to Baloy Beach to enjoy some time on the floating bar.
After I’d had my fill on the floater, I made my way up the beach and popped into McCoy’s for a cold one. No one there I knew, so after my beer, I walked back to Barretto. I paid a visit to Whiskey Girl and their “buy one, get one” promo, and also saw my favorite waitress, Jen.
I was rapidly approaching my limit, but I ventured across the highway to finish my drinking spree at Queen Victoria. Didn’t see Rein or Irish there, though. That’s fine. From what I recall, I drank alone. Made it home safe and sound, without any trips, slips, or falls. That’s the best way to end the night. Well, mad passionate sex is good, too, I suppose. Maybe next time.
I hope you all have a Good Friday!
Here’s that song that brings Filipinas to their feet:
“It’s Maundy Thursday, sir.” Well, despite being raised in the church (Pentecostal), I had to look it up. I guess it’s more of a Catholic thing, but it is a national holiday here in the PI.
Mainline Protestants (i.e., Methodists, Lutherans, Anglicans/Episcopalians, and even us Presbyterians) have Maundy Thursday on our liturgical calendars. Congregationalist Protestants (e.g., Southern Baptists) and charismatic Christians (e.g., Pentecostals), etc., kind of have their own thing going, and it may or may not include special dates known to the mainstream. I think I’ve linked to Maundy Thursday references on this very blog before (or was it on my blog? …I just looked, and the answer is no). During Holy Week, every day is a story beat in the narrative leading up to crucifixion and resurrection.
re: Jelly
42 should be a spring chicken when you’re 60-something!
And a happy Good Friday to you, even though, according to the Christian narrative, today is supposed to be somber. Catholics and some mainline Protestants have “Tenebrae” (“Shadows/Darkness”) services today to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and death. If the services follow the main tradition, then this is the opposite of what happens in a Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve is all about the light coming into the world (per the gospel of John), so worshipers light candles until the whole unlit sanctuary is filled with candlelight. During the Tenebrae service, the opposite happens: lit candles held by the worshipers are extinguished as a symbolic representation of the darkness of Jesus’ death.
I can imagine that a pre-dawn hike up Easter Mountain could be dangerous. What’s interesting is that, in many other countries, you don’t witness the sunrise on Good Friday (a day of mourning), but on Easter Sunday, hence the popularity of Easter-sunrise services.
Jelly looks good, too! But you really don’t dig the “older” ones, do you, you old perv. You should dress as a girl-chasing priest for Halloween. “Come sit on Father McCrarey’s lap, little one! Yes… that’s it. Wiggle your hips and bit, and… ahhh, that’s the ticket. There are treasures stored up for you in heaven, child.”
Wiggle your hips and bit, and… ahhh, that’s the ticket.
Guess I flubbed my line delivery there. It should be:
Wiggle your hips a bit, and… ahhh, that’s the ticket.
Have you ever seen a Scotsman’s barstool?
Here’s one for a (Scots)woman.
Jelly is a keeper imo…
Yeah, they go all in for the “celebration” of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior. Watched a long-ass parade with hundreds of participants marching past Cheap Charlies last night. And I didn’t say “Happy Good Friday”; I just expressed the sentiment that you “have a Good Friday.” A subtle but significant distinction given that the day commemorates a murder. Plus, it was another of my bad puns.
The Easter sunrise thing is big, too. In fact, we are not going to mark the Easter mountain portion of our trail until Monday because we anticipate there will be a lot of folks up there that morning.
Don’t get me wrong; I wouldn’t mind being the penis butter in Jelly’s sandwich. She’s long in the tooth for a bargirl but still attractive. The older ones are generally more interesting to talk to as well. So, yeah, the hot young bods are nice eye candy, but the older gals need love too. Come to think of it, Aine (Wet Spot), Pia (Voodoo), and Jen (Whiskey Girl) are all regular drinking partners who are in their 40s. So, I spread it around.
“Wiggle your hips a bit, and…ahh, that’s the ticket. There are treasures stored up for you in heaven, child.”
Thousands of comedians out of work, and YOU’RE trying to be funny? Actually, I do feel creepy sometimes with the really young ones like Mary. Sometimes you just gotta go with the flow, I guess. I’ll also take a pass on the Scottish barstools–either variety!
Brandon, I noticed Jelly from across the room because she has a cute and firm body. When she got closer, I saw that she was a bit older, but that didn’t dissuade me from sharing a drink with her. Nice gal.
I’m 62 and I’ve been to a few third-world countries as well as some sketchy Hoods in these United States. I won’t be dancing to any song with “CLAP” in the title. Peace Out!
And I didn’t say “Happy Good Friday”; I just expressed the sentiment that you “have a Good Friday.” A subtle but significant distinction given that the day commemorates a murder. Plus, it was another of my bad puns.
I did actually catch that. My comment was meant only as a general remark about the mood of the day.
Yeah, it seems more appropriate to mourn, but maybe it’s a matter of faith or “God’s will.” Today they have some guy who will actually be crucified (nailed to the cross) in Castillejos. Apparently, it is quite the event and generates tremendous traffic jams.
Soju, better to be safe than sorry, right?