DOT pushes faith tourism nationwide this Holy Week
The Manila Cathedral among seven churches in Intramuros that will be open on Maundy Thursday for Visita Iglesia.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is intensifying its push for faith tourism this Lenten season as it promotes a number of religious activities for tourists across the country.
“The DOT is poised to go full swing on piloting emerging faith tourism destinations this year, highlighting festivals and various Filipino traditions that will encompass a holistic pilgrimage experience,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said.
Among the sites identified are the shrines of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, all on the list of recommended faith destinations in Region 1. This is also where the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located.
In addition, the DOT has created packages highlighting religious excursions in the Cagayan Valley for tourists taking part in the Visita Iglesia.
“Region IV-B MIMAROPA is known for its famous Moriones tableau, a century-old tradition in Marinduque staged during the Holy Week, where locals perform a re-enactment of Christ’s passion and death, with Longinus as the other central character,” Teo said.
The Western Visayas region also has its share of unique Holy Week activities, particularly in Bacolod City, Talisay City and Valladolid such as the Kalbaryo sang Krus, a street drama portraying the suffering and death of Christ.
Pilgrims can visit the historic churches of Silay and Cadiz City, and participate in the Worship Festival, Pamalandong sa Tamborong and Taltal in Iloilo and Guimaras.
Tourists can also visit the shrines and churches of Misamis, Lanao, Bukidnon, Camiguin in Northern Mindanao.
Mapua University Chapel
The Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin is a must-see for tourists and pilgrims alike, as well as the St. John the Baptist Church, a known heritage site in Misamis Occidental. The region also celebrates a number of religious festivals for the Holy Week, namely the Feast of the Divine Mercy, Hinuklog, Panaad and Patunob Festival.
Dipolog City in Western Visayas will be staging its annual katkat sakripisyo on Good Friday, a depiction of the passion, suffering and death of Christ in Linabo Peak, where pilgrims will complete the 3,003-step katkat (climb) until the last of the 14 Stations of the Cross.
For tourists in Metro Manila, the DOT has positioned Intramuros as a focal destination for the Lenten holidays this year as it will host three major activities.
Among these activities are the opening of seven churches in Intramuros for pilgrims participating in the visita iglesia; via crusis or the 14 stations of the cross; and the senakulo or the reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Intramuros administrator Guiller Asido said Intramuros will be opening seven churches to the public on March 29 from noon to midnight. These are the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, San Ignacio Church, Guadalupe Shrine Fort Santiago, Knights of Columbus Father Willman Chapel, Lyceum University Chapel and Mapua University Chapel.
Asido said this could be a major driver of visitor arrivals this Lenten season, as only two churches were opened to the public last year.
Meanwhile, the 14 Stations of the Cross will be set up on the stretch of Beaterio to Muralla streets from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday.
In addition, the traditional senakulo will be staged on Maunday Thursday by the Tanghalang Sta. Ana theater ensemble under the direction of Lou Veloso.
More than 500,000 tourists are expected to visit Manila’s walled city this Holy Week.
