Holy Week draws 1-M visitors to Intramuros

MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s Walled city saw over a million visitors in this year’s Holy Week observance, driven by the activities it offered, the Intramuros Administration (IA) said.

“More than one million visitors and pilgrims went to the Walled City for two days of Visita Iglesia and Via Crucis,” the IA said on its official Facebook page.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier encouraged pilgrims to go to Intramuros in Manila as the Walled City prepared a number of Lenten activities, such as the opening of nine churches for people to visit during the Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday.

Among these churches were the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Parish Church, Fr. Willman Chapel at the Knights of Columbus Building, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Chapel, Mapua University Chapel, Lyceum of the Philippines University Chapel, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Chapel, St. Matthew’s Chapel at the BIR Building and Guadalupe Shrine at the Fort Santiago.

The Senakulo at Plaza Roma.

Other Lenten activities offered by the IA include Penetencia around Plaza Roma and the Manila Cathedral on Holy Thursday at 7 p.m. as well as Stations of the Cross installations which were displayed on the stretch of General Luna Street, from Beaterio to Muralla (side of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila) from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday.

“Lent is an important period for Filipinos, whether for reasons of faith, to rest or to bond with one’s family, friends and community. Pilgrims and tourists are all welcome during the Holy Week in Intramuros and invited to experience this important Philippine tradition,” the DOT earlier said.

The DOT assured the public that security would be a priority, as it coordinated with the Philippine National Police-MPD, the Philippine Navy-Naval Reserve Command and the Philippine National Red Cross to ensure the safety and security of devotees and tourists.

“To facilitate traffic within Intramuros, General Luna street was closed to all vehicles from the night of Holy Wednesday until Good Friday, with designated areas for public parking in the various locations,” the DOT earlier said.

The IA partnered with Maynilad Water Services to give pilgrims and tourists free drinking water at Plaza Roma, in line with the DOT’s push for sustainable tourism.

Last year, a total of 900,000 local and foreign tourists flocked to Intramuros during the Holy Week celebration.