Part 17: Station of the cross....
The reason why I chose Manila as the base of my travels, and why I spent so much time here, was in part due to how some of the wonderful people in this beautiful, understated country of 94million endeared them selves to me.
I've talked several times in my blog about the politeness, the smiles and the hospitality they have shown me. I have done my best to immerse myself fully in their culture, embrace the traditions, meet the people and sample the delicious Filipino food.
Meeting several new amazing friends who have done everything to make me feel welcome, for nothing in return other than my company. I was completely overwhelmed by my visit here so far, although its not without its problems, with large parts of the country stricken by poverty, which is still so hard to comprehend. Some people for instance survive eating just salt and rice most days. Others in the slums are so poor, they eat food from dustbins! known commonly here as 'pag pag'
Translated it means 'to shake off'.
Basically they sometimes search garbage looking for food scraps, which is washed, re-fried in hot oil and served again.
I was very upset to hear how some people are forced to live but sadly its considered a luxury to the impoverished - seeing it first hand completely changes your outlook on life.
Today was Easter Sunday and I was invited to church in the morning.
Being fully aware of how much of a celebration it was here and not wanting to offend anyone, I could not turn it down. The Philippines is a deeply religious country, with the Easter celebrations and parades bearing testimony to this.
The normally relentless Manila was turned into a ghost town as everyone goes to Church on Easter day.
I did my best attempt at trying to look smart, donning my full Bruce Lee outfit I purchased in Singapore.
And besides, this was all I had so it had to do. My friends picked me up early in the morning and as soon as they saw me, they all chuckled to themselves as I became the butt of their jokes.
It was a short drive to Moa bay where the Church service was being held and when we arrived it was not in the least bit what I was expecting. This was more of a concert hall than a Church.
Volunteers on the door warmly. welcomed me in, cheerfully wishing me a happy Easter as I passed them.
Inside, the 2 tiered arena was really huge and packed full of happy people.
There was quite an atmosphere building already.
On the right hand side of the stage was an amazing, dancing gospel choir singing and clapping, with a full live 6 piece band supporting them.
There were giant projector screens behind them also.
It was quite something to see what was going on around me, and how joyful the people were.
The service was divided into 2 sections.
Firstly a traditional Catholic Mass with priests, hymns and preying, much like what I was already used to.
And then the second part, goodness me!!
This was not how I remembered mass as a child back home thats for sure.
A huge PA pumped out Dubstep of all things, as 2 young guys ran on to the stage working the crowd into a frenzy.
The whole place went ballistic!!
The choir was singing and dancing, the band was playing and crowd were on their feet joining in.
They gave a huge introduction to what appeared to be the main attraction.
A Preacher who went by the name of 'Brother Arun'
He was like a celebrity here, the crowd gave him an almighty welcome.
But once all the euphoria died down, He gave a very accomplished talk and speech about never giving up, resilience and hardships the Filipino's faced.
It was a humbling moment.
He was trying to offer people hope and inspiration.
The talk went down very well.
I was just taking in the experience looking all around, observing at how everyone was reacting and soaking in the atmosphere. I did not notice any other foreigners there.
When his speech was finished the Choir, band, compares and hosts all joined together for a final crescendo,
before they all waved their goodbyes.
Brother Arun was given a rapturous applause as the service came to a climax.
People congregated afterwards in rooms upstairs talking about the service, or just to share life experiences.
It was a place to meet new friends or even wives I was told.
We then headed to central Manila at Bonifacio to witness the
'Station of the Cross'
Most Catholics would be familiar with this, but rather shamefully I wasn't.
When we arrive at the Bonifacio hight street, in the lawn area, we came across several black
painted boards which speak about the various 'Stations of the cross'.
They not only let you think or reflect on the scenes leading up to the death of Christ, but it lets you participate in activities too.
For example, to pray for someone you don’t know.
Or pick up a black piece of cloth that represented sin, then nail it down on one huge cross signifying how you will no longer let sin take over your life.
Or to make a note of the most important people in your life.
But for me the most poignant and significant one, was to carry the heavy wooden cross when Jesus did his final walk, which gives you a tiny glimpse of what it must have been like for him.
I wanted to pay my respects and decided to experience it.
A volunteer approached me and tied a large heavy wooden beam across my shoulders with a very course rope, so heavy that my thighs were spasming.
I walked in the searing heat for a while.
Then I dragged a really large, and even heavier wooden cross along the ground.
It weighed an absolute ton.
I was in my own world for a moment and apparently it showed on my face.
But It was something I was happy to experience.
You can walk through these stations at your own pace, the wide area and spaces in between these allows you to do so.
Even participating in some of the activities is completely up to you.
If you’re not a Catholic you might find the idea of the Station of the Cross here to be a little intimidating.
Or you can just watch, and walk away with no judgements.
There are no rules as to how the walk should affect you.
I came here with an open heart and mind and left with a more humble one in the end.
Later in the afternoon people flocked to the malls with their families which where absolutely rammed!
There where plenty of activities for children.
And it also seemed like tradition on Easter day that after the feasting and celebrating at home, to head to the huge air-conditioned malls and eat out whilst extending the festivities long into the evening.
I had mixed feelings and experiences for my first taste of 'Holy Week' in the Philippines.
Entering into it at the beginning with anger at the Airport fiasco but leaving it fully humbled, and hopefully a better person for the experience.