Catholics reminded of true meaning of Holy Week

As tourists grab the opportunity to bond with their family and go to different places, Catholics were reminded of the true meaning of Holy Week.

In Nico Waje’s Wednesday report on “Saksi,” millions of tourists visit different pilgrim sites in CALABARZON, which becomes a big help to the economy of the region.

Devotees walk from Quiapo Church in Manila to the Antipolo Cathedral in Rizal province as they participate in the annual Alay-Lakad during Holy Week.

Many tourists also visit the Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon to pray and commune with God.

Expecting 6 million visitors, Kamay ni Hesus founder Fr. Joey Faller said they have been preparing for the Holy Week since January.

He said they have been coordinating with the police, barangay officials, local government units, and about 1,000 volunteers to keep the pilgrim site safe.

Even on ordinary days, many people still visit the National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, which is known as a solemn, peaceful, and sacred place to pray.

According to CALABRAZON tourism, there are many visitors in the region, whether or not it is during Holy Week.

Marites Castro, regional director of CALABARZON Department of Tourism, said the pilgrim sites attract tourists.

“Siyempre po pag pumunta ka sa isang lugar, bibili ka ng pasalubong. kailangan mo ng transportation at kung mag-overnight pa ay kailangan pa ng hotel. At higit po sa lahat ay ating mga restaurants,” Castro said.

(Of course, if they go to a particular place, they will buy food, they need transportation, stay in a hotel, and eat in restaurants.)

In Holy Week 2024, over 23 million tourists visited several provinces in CALABARZON.

There are 20 pilgrim sites in Cavite and Laguna, 16 in Batangas, 14 in Rizal, and 13 in Quezon.

Antipolo Cathedral was the most visited pilgrim site in 2024, with 27.8 million recorded tourist arrivals. This was followed by the National Shrine of Padre Pio.

Among the top pilgrim sites in Tanay, Rizal is the Regina Rica where over 800,000 tourists visit the giant image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“In the span of 15 years, I think we have about more than a million that comes every year. Holy Week alone is about half a million,” Regina Rica founder Sister Eppie Brasil said.

One tourist said he felt blessed and felt the presence of God when he visited the Marian site.

Another tourist said she visited Regina Rica to show her faith in the Blessed Mother and hope that prayers will be answered.

Rolando River, a restaurant owner near the site, said he got most of his customers from the pilgrims, while vendor Rosalinda Francisco said the visitors help her with her income.

Brasil reminded the faithful of the real meaning of Holy Week.

“It’s about time that we go back to God. And God is the source of abundant blessings,” she said.

Faith is not measured by the number of pilgrimage sites one visits during Holy Week. What is more important is that every day, wherever you go, you practice good deeds. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News