Five things to do during a Holy Week ‘staycation’

Not so long ago, Holy Week was a time of quietude and reflection. Everything was closed and nothing was on TV, except for religious programming and noontime show Lenten specials (and later on, those "Seventh Heaven" marathons). People stayed home, marinated on the couch, and pretty much just twiddled their fingers and counted the hours until the world (and Jesus) came back to life.

That’s not the case anymore. These days, we’re spoiled for choice with entertainment-slash-time-killing options. Some malls and restaurants stay open (sacrilege!), there are countless retreats/recollections invitations, and, of course, for a lot of people, this is their only chance to escape the city and fly off to the beach or mountains. It’s the yearly sojourn that’s supposed to recharge the body and reinvigorate the spirit.

There are those, however, who choose to chuck all that and stay at home in the city. Because when you’re stressed the whole year round negotiating the chaos that is Metro Manila traffic, having the city practically all to yourself sounds like the best idea for a Holy Week break.

Here are a few things you can do if you say no to that trip to Boracay or Sagada and take your chances staying home in the city during Holy Week:

1. Marinate on the couch and catch up on movies and TV shows

You can toss boredom out the window when there are a hundred cable channels running shows 24/7. If you don’t have cable, there’s always DVDs or downloads (legal and, well, the other kind). My personal suggestions: "House of Cards" (Kevin Spacey as a power-hungry congressman and the lovely Robin Wright as his suffering, supportive wife), "The Walking Dead" (there’s really no subsititute for zombies), and, if you haven’t already seen them, this year’s Oscar-nominated movies one after the other ("Whiplash" deserves multiple viewings).

Don’t forget to lay out the drinks and snacks. The only surfing you’ll do this year is on the couch (okay maybe on the internet, too).

2. Check into a hotel and gorge on food

If you’re a good Catholic, you’ve probably been taught to practice fasting and abstinence during Lent. However, if you’re neither good nor a Catholic, then by all means, no one’s stopping you from indulging your inner glutton. Lots of restaurants and hotels have their Holy Week Specials (meaning meatless fare, how sad), but if you’re going to be bad, you might as well go all out.

Marriott Hotel Manila (998-9999), for instance, has a poolside Family Barbecue deal that also doubles as a summer party for all its guests who are checked-in. Four people pay just P2,100 and enjoy unlimited pork BBQ, chicken inasal, pansit canton, and mahi-mahi (with rice and a selection of sauces, of course). The offer is good from April 2 to 4, between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

3. Relive Christ’s agony, then watch a concert

For a few years now, Bonifacio Global City in cooperation with Christian community Church Simplified has been hosting Walkway, an interactive Stations Of The Cross along Bonifacio High Street. It’s a creative way to reintroduce Christ’s passion, death and resurrection to a whole generation of people fast losing interest in matters of religion and faith.

Organizers have added a musical element to the event the last couple of years. Alternative rock band Mutemath and electronica act Kye Kye, will play for fans on March 31 and April 5, respectively, this year. Shows start at 7 p.m. While admission is free, tickets will be handed out. Visit the Church Simplified Facebook page for more details.

4. Visita Iglesia. Yeah.

You’ve put it off long enough. You may have even done it once, years ago, back when your lola or your aunt made you go with them. But this year, why not finally see what the fuss is about?

Visita Iglesia is an old Roman Catholic tradition of visiting churches during Holy Week. The idea is to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and/or the Stations Of The Cross, but, let’s be honest, it’s also an opportunity to do some sightseeing in our very own city. Live in a place long enough and you never really get to appreciate the beauty and history that’s all around you. I mean, when was the last time you marveled at the beauty of the Manila Cathedral or inspected the fascinating details of San Agustin, San Sebastian or Malate Church? But if you’re too lazy to get off your butt, there’s always...

5. Take a drive around the city

If you brave the hell that is Manila traffic daily, EDSA during Holy Week is paradise. Get behind the wheel with your best mates, and imagine what the city would be like if there was a zombie apocalypse, or if the traffic system was better managed.

Drive down the ghost town that is Ayala Avenue and the usually busy neighborhoods of Makati City’s financial district, check out what Binondo and Divisoria look like minus all of the crowds, and cruise down Roxas Boulevard and wait for the glorious sunset before finding a place that’s open to grab some dinner (there’ll be a non-believer out there somewhere).

A traffic jam-less Metro Manila is probably the closest you’ll get to spiritual enlightenment this Holy Week.— BM, GMA News