Feast-Days in the Philippines by R. A. Caldwell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

Feast-Days in the Philippines

By R. A. Caldwell

R. A. CALDWELL

In Spanish times these fiestas were almost as numerous as the days of the year. Even now they are familiar by their frequency. With the fiesta is always associated those things which appeal to the sentiments of these happy and easily contented people. Relaxation from labor is one of the chief attractions.

One of the greatest events is church attendance and processions. In the city of Manila it means something to traverse the crooked streets on foot under a tropical sun, visiting every church shrine; yet this is the duty of the faithful during one day of the so-called Holy Week.

The parades are attractive to a visitor, because of their novelty. Gaily dressed people in light-colored garments, the flickering candles, and floats representing the different characters of those who participated in the trial and crucifixion of our Lord, are all strikingly brought before one’s vision. These figures are dressed in no mean apparel. Costly jewels glisten upon the well-featured images of the women, with their luxuriant, lifelike hair. The several figures of Christ are works of art in their realistic reproduction of agony. The gaping wounds are calculated to affect the emotions, and the thorn-crowned head to arouse pity in the heart of even the most callous. The common men vie with one another for the honor of drawing the cart which bears the huge wooden cross with the image of Christ.

In this evening scene are many of the city’s best citizens, probably imposing upon themselves this light form of penance. Others, somewhat more radical, purge themselves by afflicting the body. Under the burning sun they parade themselves before the public in certain country places, exposing their bodies to the scourges—usually of twigs and occasionally of rope and glass—of men probably hired for the occasion, or those who think it some religious obligation to perform such acts. In the immediate vicinity are thousands of men hilariously gambling upon the combatants in a cock-fight, in buildings erected for the purpose. These fights are permitted only on church feast-days and on Sundays. Sunday is the great holiday of the Catholic Church.

All these practices mean difficult work for the missionary. One is convinced that the Catholic Church has adopted the only way possible of keeping up its membership,—by securing the children and dwarfing their pliable minds, so that they do not think except in certain channels. Men and women of mature years are not likely to be converted to the “faith” by these empty mummeries and superstitions.

The saddest thing of all is to see the people struggling to reach the black image and kiss its feet. The repulsiveness is increased when one remembers that this has been done for generations, which, of course, has not benefited the figure from a hygienic standpoint. Those who can not get close enough for an embrace are content if they can pass their handkerchiefs over the pierced feet, and depart caressing the handkerchief. How much better is this than the worship of Christless Japanese who adore Buddha by kissing the extremities of a bronze figure? Who would dare say that the Filipino is not in dire need of a living gospel?

Manila.