Good Friday - FilipinoPod101

Good Friday

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in the Philippines Series at FilipinoPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Filipino holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 4, Good Friday. In Filipino, it’s called Biyernes Santo.

Filipinos are typically known for their fun-filled festivals, but Good Friday is one of the few public holidays that’s different from usual. That’s because this is the day on which the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered. No public festivities or celebrations are held on this day. In this lesson, let's discover how Filipinos observe Good Friday.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

Do you know the expression that came from the name of this day?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

Good Friday is observed through the street processions, or in Filipino prusisyon, that follow the story of the Stations of the Cross. There are even times when the reenactment, or pagsasadula, of the Passion of Christ leads to actual crucifixion of people. This is performed by some devotees as a form of penance for their sins.

Many Catholic Filipinos also remember the Siete Palabras on this day. The Siete Palabras are the Seven Last Words said by Jesus Christ while he was being crucified. The proverbs drawn from Siete Palabras teach lessons about forgiveness or pagpapatawad, salvation of the soul, human relations, abandonment, restlessness, success, and reconnection with the Lord.

Furthermore, the Reading of the Passion, in Filipino called Pabasa ends on this day. The Pabasa is one of the ways to remember Jesus’ sacrifice by chanting the narrative, or salaysay, of his life, passion, death, and resurrection.

It is believed that Jesus’ time of death was at three in the afternoon of Good Friday. And according to superstitious beliefs, or superstisyong paniniwala, it is said that at this hour, evil spirits abound. This is why many Filipino parents make their children stay inside the house on the afternoon of Good Friday.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

Do you know the expression that came from the name of this day?

The expression “Mukha kang Biyernes Santo”, literally translated, "You look like Good Friday", indicates that the face of the person you're talking to is sad and gloomy like the prevailing atmosphere during Good Friday.