Holy Week or locally known as Semana Santa or cuaresma is one Catholic tradition which my siblings and I were exposed to since we were young.
Thanks to our parents and our Lolo Merto, our maternal grandfather, we learned to remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were all responsible to our religiosity and idea of faith until such time that we went independent in our pursuit of what we call true religion which will bring us to true salvation.
What is very clear in my bank of memory though during lent is the PASYON, which is the verse narrative on the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. This is sung continuously which would start late in the afternoon of Maundy Thursday and would end in the morning of Good Friday. Pasyon had been our family’s “panata” (pledge or vow) for several years until 1983.

Our Lolo Merto was the one in-charge of the pasyon in our house. It was during this time that we got to see and mingle with our grandparents (my mama’s aunts and uncles) from Villa Hermosa and Cumadcad, Sorsogon. I would never forget Lola Loling (my Lolo Merto’s older sister), Lolo Gaspar (Lola Loling’s husband), Lolo Apron (my Lolo Merto’s older brother), Lolo Pastor (my Lolo Merto’s oldest brother), and Tiyo Talyo who would always be regular members of the “choir.” My mother’s cousins would also be in attendance making our small living room in Ilawod 2, Daraga, Albay congested. Really now, I don’t remember someone from my father’s side who was a master in Bicol Pasyon.
What would impress me though during pasyon in our house was the perfect blending of the singers’ voices the moment they started singing. Talk about old angels on earth. My lolos and lolas knew first, second, and third voices. Even without a rehearsal, they knew the right kind of tone or pitch that they should apply.
Could it be because of the “nganga” that was provided to them? Oh yes. This was always part of pasyon in our house. “Nganga” or betel quid is a popular Filipino (especially those living in rural and upland areas) concoction which is made of betel leaf, areca nut (aka betel nut), lime and sometimes tobacco.

If ever we will still have pasyon at the house, i wonder who would be the lead singer…definitely no one from our siblings.. childhood memories with the pasyon is bitter sweet, its a sacrifice of sleeplessness and relatives convergence..so glad to remind that once we were but under tradition and now we are set free because our salvation is not through works anymore, but through Jesus Christ who finished everything to save us in the cross.
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no one, but perhaps if forced, we’ll agree to take turns using a different vocal arrangement though. hahahahaha.
yup, bitter sweet is the right description especially for you adults who were already given a responsibility during those nights. 🙂
our family’s journey in seeking the ONLY WAY to our eternal salvation has not been that easy, but i can say that we are one of the lucky few who have received early enlightenment.
thanks for sharing your thoughts, olen.
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