Images of Semana Santa

As Filipino Catholics take time to pray and reflect this Holy Week, we feature a collection of images that depict time-honored traditions.

Pabasa – This long uninterrupted chanting of the Passion of Jesus Christ has no set of rules nor lyric sheet on how it is performed. From Holy Monday to Good Friday, devotees can drop in on different households in the community that are holding a pasyon reading. This ritual used to be sung in vibrato unison by old ladies. The current generation of pasyon readers now have a microphone and sound system. In ­­­­the city of Las Piñas. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

Statue of Christ Lying in the Tomb – This statue of Jesus Christ is brought out annually for Lenten processions in the community. In the city of Las Piñas. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

Visita Iglesia – It is a tradition of Filipino Catholics to visit different churches during Holy Week for the adoration of the blessed sacrament or to perform the Way of the Cross. This is Our Lady of Candelaria Parish in Silang, Cavite. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Church of the Gesu at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

Visita Iglesia at the Divine Mercy Parish in Silang, Cavite (Photo by Raymond Virata)

At Our Lady of Candelaria Parish in Silang, Cavite, vendors offer devotees different religious items for sale, such as rosaries, candles and “miracle” oils. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

The altar of Our Lady of Candelaria Parish in Silang, Cavite consists of baroque style reliefs depicting the Visitation of Angel Gabriel to Mary, the Journey of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, the Three Magi, the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, and the coronation of Mary. (Photo by Raymond Virata)

In Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite, a hooded penitent flagellates himself using a whip of sticks as a religious pledge to atone for his sins in observance of the Lenten Season. (Photo by Brian Aguilar Agana)

The Higanteng Krus situated at Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal takes on a breathtaking view of the vast Sierra Madre Mountain Range during the Inaugural Mass and Blessing held last year in time for the observance of the Semana Santa in San Mateo. (Photo by Marites Falcon)

The Blessing of the Higanteng Krus right after the Inaugural Mass. (Photo by Marites Falcon)