Visita Iglesia lives on in Bulacan despite rising fuel prices

MANILA — Despite surging fuel prices, large families and groups in Bulacan still turned out for the Maundy Thursday tradition of visiting at least seven churches.

The Guaño family, from grandparents to great-grandchildren, even traveled all the way from Olongapo to visit the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos.

Crystelle Guaño said the annual activity serves not only as a family reunion of sorts, but also as a way to teach younger generations the importance of sacrifice, prayer, and reflection during Holy Week.

“Yung panahon ngayon, when you say Holy Week, gala yung nasa isip. Medyo nakaka-sad, nawawala na yung usual na tradisyon ng Katolika na panata… (Sa amin), third generation na, yung mga apo, pamangkin namin— sila yung nagle-lead ng prayer kada church,” she said.

To save on expenses, they brought food prepared by the family matriarch, Corazon.

“Nagluluto na agad ako ng baon para kahit saan kami mapunta, meron kaming nakahandang pagkain. Tubig, mga lalagyan namin, mga plato, hinahanda ko na lahat,” she shared.

As for the Notario family, they even came in matching green shirts, which they had printed back in January in preparation for Holy Week.

Rowena Notario said they used to travel to other provinces for Visita Iglesia, but this year they decided to just go around different towns in Bulacan due to soaring diesel costs.

She prays that the US-Israel war against Iran would end soon.

“Kasi apektado lahat e, our economy. And especially dahil marami ding namamatay dahil sa war,” she said.

But she also hoped that Filipinos would continue to seek accountability in the flood control anomalies.

As someone born and raised in Bulacan—the epicenter of the corruption scandal—she said the issue hits particularly close to home.

“Kasi mas maraming projects sa Bulacan ang hindi natapos, mas maraming Bulakenyos ang affected (ng baha). Taxes natin yung ginamit sa ghost projects so dapat din may ma-convict,” added Notario.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Devotees looking to complete the Stations of the Cross flocked to the National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan.

Many came to the pilgrimage site despite the scorching midday sun, saying it was all part of their penitence.

“Tumaas man yung diesel, panata mo naman na yan, kaya talagang go pa rin kami… (Si Jesus) nag-sacrifice nga para sa atin so ibalik din natin, tutal may mga blessings din naman na binibigay si Lord,” said Rodelyn Gatan who came with her husband’s family and furbabies.

Meanwhile, as others go on so-called ‘alay lakad’, Moises Jimenez and his fellow cyclist friends biked from Metro Manila to Bulacan to also visit some churches.

“Pagninilay ito sa paghihirap ng ating Panginoon… kasama na yung exercise namin,” he said.

RELATED VIDEO: