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”.
Good morning Ms. OMB, so touching every time I read your post especially when I saw your two siblings giving drinks or towels to ordinary people it shows that you raised them with good guidance your such a wonderful parents… God bless you family
Thank you Angel.
Ms Annie.. Grabe naman the old man who yelled abt u giving a thousand towels next year.. 🙁 minsan talaga, may mga tao na instead of being GRATEFUL, nagiging SARCASTIC pa sila sa mga taong NAGMAMALASAKIT kagaya nyo ng family mo… Hindi sila marunong MAGPASALAMAT sa binibigay nyo every single year ng Good Friday… 🙁
Bahala na lang si Papa God sa kanila… Basta ang importante, u always fulfilled ur PROMISE during Holy Week… Kaya lagi kayong BLESSED ng family mo kc napaka- GENEROUS mo with ur TIME and RESOURCES.. 😉
Enjoy ur Sunday weekend and God bless u more for ur generosity and kindness… 🙂
Yan ang mga taong feeling entitled. Kaya di naunlad pilipinas ung tinutulungan mo demanding pa, hehe.
Thank you Angel, Pam and BdM for your comments.