Something Filipino: Holy Week

About 94 percent of Filipinos are Christians and last week was one of the most important weeks of the Christian calendar. It was Holy Week, which is the week when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter. On Palm Sunday in the Philippines, Catholics bring palm leaves to the church to be blessed by the priest, and then keep them in their home as a charm against evil spirits. The Thursday and Friday of the Holy Week are holidays and many people go to church. During Good Friday some churches reenact the death of Jesus Christ: volunteers dress up as soldiers from long time ago and a man (sometimes three) is nailed to a cross.

Easter Sunday is a happier day because it is the day when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Some churches give out boiled, painted eggs and some have an egg hunt for children too.