The observance of Holy Week in
the Philippine is regarded as one of the most important events in the Catholic
church calendar. It is a week-long
solemn contemplation on the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus.
It starts on Palm Sunday, wherein we carry
palm or coconut leaves to the church to hear the Sunday mass. Then after the mass, the priest would bless
it. To us Catholics, we remember this
day as the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem as King and Savior.
We also attend mass during Maundy
Thursday and join the procession on Holy Friday. Some visit different churches or watch the
reenactment of Jesus’ suffering and death, a play that is usually held on the
road and culminates in the public plaza where the reenactment of the
crucifixion is performed. Sunday is a
joyful occasion as we witness the reenactment of the biblical event when the
Virgin Mary meets the Risen Christ.
There is one place in the
southern part of Iloilo - in San Juaquin that is a haven for Catholics who
would like to meditate on Jesus’ passion during the holy week, in a more solemn
manner within a lush greenery on a hill, about the height of a 10-storey building.
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| The /Garin Pilgrimage Hill, about the height of a 10-storey building can be accessed by about 450 steps. |
Related Post: Garin Farm - A Glimpse of Heaven on Earth
We climbed the Garin Pilgrimage
Hill after about 450 steps, leading to the big white cross.
At the top, we entered the dark meditation
tunnel, wherein you can talk to God and contemplate on His sufferings and
resurrection.
As you are presumed to be
cleaned, at the end of the tunnel lies the replica of heaven – at least as what
the signage tells us.
This part of the
hill is all white – the surroundings, the statue of angels and saint, I
presume, and other souls, I guess.
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| Is this what heaven looks like? |
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| Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: the origin of humanity |
Our experience is made more
meaningful because as we entered this part, the white surroundings are so
strikingly hurtful to the eyes. I can really feel that it is like heaven, as
the way I watched it in the movies.
But
as we went downstairs, I realized, it was just an optical illusion.
Our eyes are used to the black surroundings -
literally no lightings, only the white small bulb lining the floor serving as a
guide, in the dark tunnel and we suddenly went outside to the bright
surroundings, so naturally, our eyes will find it hard to adjust immediately.
Aside from the heavenly
spectacle, the hill features life-sized installation of biblical scenes which
devotees can visit while climbing upstairs.
We dropped by all these attractions and said short prayers for
each. The figures were cleverly placed
to serve as “breather” so that climbers, like us can rest for a while. This tactic really works
favorably to me, who have lesser stamina compared to my younger companions.
Our one-day tour of the Garin
Farm was enriching and meaningful. While
it was originally planned out as more of a recreational in nature, it was made
meaningful by going to the Pilgrimage Hill, reliving Jesus' story and talking
to Him in prayer solemnly.
