Culmination of my year

Now that I am a lot older, Good Friday has become the highlight of my year.  For most people, their year ends on December 31, based on the calendar.   Me naman,  my year ends on Good Friday.  The following week is the start of my new year.

Why?   Good Friday is the day where I feel I am paying  my dues and it’s a day of thanksgiving.  The minute the Santo Entierro passes in front of me,  I say “Thank you Lord for giving me another year.  I want to be back again next year and for many more years to come”.   That’s the culmination of my year.  I cherish that moment,  where I could say it in front of HIS image.   I consider it a privilege to be able to stand in front of Jesus. It’s like praying in personal.   Only if you grew up in the midst of our traditions that you would understand why I felt this way.

We thought we wouldn’t be able to finish all the 1,500 assorted cookies and bread because some of our neighbors have started giving out food too. #happytoinspire

Male devotees of Santo Entierro (Giwang-giwang)

We served 2,200++ cups of iced filtered water, 14 containers of 5 gallons each, 4 sacks of tube ice. Some commented that ours was the best water they’ve ever drunk. Pag tatlong oras ka ng nakatayo sa prusisyon at mula ulo hanggang talampakan mo eh pawis na, lahat ngtubig eh magiging masarap talaga. #thirsty

I didn’t make ice candy this year.

I will bring two more helpers next year.

These men knocked off maybe a hundred cups of water. They were all hoping to get a white towel.

I overheard some old guy yelling “sa isang taon dagdagan mo, magpa-gawa ka ng isang libong bimpo”. Kala nya ilang daan lang ang ipinamimigay ko. Hindi po, itong 2015 1,500 pieces of towels were given away.

Quiet muna, here He comes.

Here lies Jesus.

This is why I am here. This is what I come here for year after year. This is why I don’t go to the beach during Holy Week. This is why I don’t go on holiday on Good Friday. For this exact moment. This is personal to me. I don’t want to miss my chance of saying a little prayer in person, right in front of Him. He passes by in front of me, and I say my prayer of thanksgiving.
“Thank you Lord for giving me another year. I want to be here again next year, and for many more years to come. Thank you for everything, and sorry for all my mistakes. Please take care of us”.