Yeah… things have been quite a whirlwind since I last blog and there are loads of stories for me to tell. From today onwards, I will present you with a 9 Part Pictography Rewind back to the few weeks back... a Blast to the past from the future.
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Hey you… yeah you… nice to hear from you!
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Last week was the Holy Week, and so called by the locals due to the Easter Week and it was really nice to experience it. But first, it is indeed Mt KK that tops the agenda. Never have I felt better than standing on top of the world. It brought back a lot of memories… especially the first mountain I managed in Lake District, UK, and there’s always Chamonix in Mont Blanc, Southern France. It felt great. After almost about 15 hours accumulative, I was there at the peak. It was never gonna be easy but I thought, hey, what was harder than managing a HW project… so I thought. But fact is, and believe me, take note, if you haven’t received training… never attempt it. For me, it will be the last for many many more years to come. The only thing I regretted was not being able to take me camera up to the peak. I had to choose between going up or being stagnant halfway through.
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Then, there was this Crucifix Day on Friday when Jesus was crucified. My colleagues and I set off to the Northern Region Philippines in San Fernando, Pampanga, to watch the re-enactment of what transpired during the days leading up to Easter. I was surprised at the highly regarded event that attracted many foreigners actually. I was thinking that it would be an ordinary event with local folks participating but to my surprise, international news broadcasters, local media and many avid photographers like myself were there. It wasn’t just an ordinary outdoor session mind you, it was extremely hot as the event was at about 3pm and the scorching sun was actually quite a nuisance. As for my colleagues, they had already had it with the whole thing and was complaining about going back although I managed to coax them to stay a while longer so that I can take a few shots and experience for the first time in my life what was it all about. Apparently, it is also a popular event in the South Americas.
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Updates to begin from a long long absence from today.
Part IX : San Fernando Holy Week [Easter]
Part VIII : Mount Kinabalu, KK
Part VII : Kota Kinabalu Sunset
Part VI : Manukan Island, KK
Part V : Philippines Landmarks
Part IV : Quezon National Park, Philippines
Part III : Mount Mayon, Legaspi, Philippines
Part II : My Pride: Naga Office
Part I : My Honor
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The Easter Celebrations at San Fernando's Holy Week
This event, is held annually during the Holy Week in March and is about a 90 minutes easy drive from Central Manila taking the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) and turning off at the San Fernando Exit towards Pampanga.
Located at the city of San Fernando in Pampanga, the nothern region of Philippines, the town comes alive during this event.
Mounted 'Roman' soldiers on horsebacks leads the way in a virtual re-enactment of the path that 'Jesus' took before He was crucified.
Devotees taking to the streets in an act of self sacrifice or repaying their vows similar to those celebrated at home during Thaipusam or the Nine Emperor Festival in Malaysia.
The re-enactment begins with a 3km walk under the scorching hot sun with 2 disciples leading the way
'Jesus' carrying the cross en route to the hill where he was crucified. Take note of the 'Roman' soldiers surrounding him, taunting him with verbal and physical torture.
'Jesus' falls to the ground from the unberable taunts and torture meted out at Him. The re-enacted script also included His passionate followers (in blue cloak), stopping at every conjuncture when 'Jesus' fell to the ground. Scripts were read but was in Tagalog which I didnt understand but presumably was the words recited and picked from the actual manuscripts.
'Roman' soldiers at the top of the hill preparing the stage for what is seen as His place of crucifix. This was about 3 km's later on.
The soldiers finally reached the hill escorting "Jesus's" disciples to their crosses. In the blue and red cloaks are presumably "Jesus's" mother, Mother Mary and etc.
... and the soldiers descending the hill after escorting Him to the great priest at the top of the hill...
Here, the soldiers hammers the final nail onto this feet.
The crucifix moment...
Here, the Great Priest shouts out to him to force him for a submission...
A soldier adds to his pain by physical torture...
... the group virtually pleads for his submission and to the High Priest to stop the pain 'Jesus' was going through. Merciful cries filled the air in what was the most wrenching moment I have ever been in... silence from the crowd was deafening as there were some who broke down in tears...
... finally, the forgiving chant uttered by 'Jesus' during the last moments.
... as the soldiers finally removed those nails....
... and brought Jesus down from the crucifix after wrapping him in a white cloth.
This actually brought the entire re-enactment to a close with a final verse read out aloud through the blaring loudspeakers as the somber mood filled the air, people reflecting upon "Jesus's" sacrifice, in what has become an annual tradition in this sleepy hollow if not for the event.
Personally, it was a first for me to be seeing it live instead of watching it years back then through the movie 'Passion of the Christ'. I felt a sense of calmness through each and every scene, it was surreal, as real as it can get. Journalists, Photographers, TV crews from around the world all jostled to get a glimpse of what transpired throughout the 3 hours...
The hordes of people soon left, as what actually happened back then, when the villagers soon dispersed back to their huts, still pondering what had happened, as to us now. The feeling was probably mutual...
To me, it was a good experience as well as to hone my photography skills. All pictures were taken using a Canon 400D, EFS 18-55mm and a USM EF Zoom Lens 75-300mm.
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