Blind masseurs, musicians sustain 'pabasa' tradition

MANILA, Philippines — The tradition has lost nuch of its appeal: the pabasa, or reading aloud the epic narrative poem of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Among those who are keeping the tradition alive is an organization of the blind.

Their books are worn out from years of “reading,” with the dots embossed on the pages of the books given to them six years ago now flattened from fingers repeatedly skimming over words in Braille.

Starting in Legazpi City in Albay 11 years ago, the Tanglaw Blind Masseurs and Musicians Inc. has been holding the pabasa as part of the observance of Holy Week.

This year, the pabasa in Barangay Manuyo Dos, Las Piñas is being conducted by five men and four women in their 30s and 50s.

Their fingers turn numb as they have to press the dots harder than usual, said Teddy Ponferada, 60, vice president of the group.

The books, each with 213 pages, contain the Braille version of Gaspar Aquino de Belen’s Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon Natin na Tula (The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ Our Lord that is a Poem).

“We hope to find a sponsor for not only the pabasa books, but also other titles, which can last for years,” Ponferada said.

Like the other Tanglaw members, he considers their pabasa not only as a form of sacrifice but as a source of inspiration for people who can see.

Ponferada hopes that through this pabasa, their group would encourage people to contribute to the spiritual wellbeing of others.

“Twenty-four hours lang naman ito, pagkatapos nito ay balik na kami sa pagiging masahista at manunugtog (This is only for 24 hours, after which we return to being masseurs and musicians),” said Ponferada, a masseur and former pianist at a well-known pizza chain restaurant.

He acknowledged his frustrations with how people, including some in government, view the plight of the blind.

“We do not ask for dole-outs. We wish for the President to hold a summit for the blind, so we can address our issues properly instead of us talking to leaders of various groups,” Ponferada said.

Despite all this, Ponferada said he is thankful that the blind are finding ways to cope with daily life, and that other people affirm their skills and talents.

“Salvation is being able to live fairly,” he said.

For his part, 62-year-old Eduardo Palma, bus operator and the sponsor of the pabasa, thought of setting up this annual activity to remind him of his childhood at Paracale in Camarines Norte. He hopes the pabasa led by the blind would continue.

Another popular Tagalog version of the passion of Jesus Christ is Fr. Mariano Pilapil’s Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Jesucristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinomang Babasa (The Story of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, which Rightly Shall Ignite the Heart of Whosoever Readeth).