Semana Santa 2011 - Cuenca, Batangas

The Sto. Cristo, only brought out in Good Friday

One of the best places to see Lenten activities is the simple town of Cuenca, Batangas. Unlike other Holy Week destination this town offers an adventurous and religious experience. Noted for its forested mountain, Mt. Maculot, its also have a station of cross where climbers can meditate. At the site of the grotto is a cove where the image of the Our Lady of Lourdes, in its sides are two large crosses and a Pieta nearby. If one wishes to climb further to the summit and go to the site called "Rockies", one can see the beauty of Taal Lake and Volcano Island.

Procession to the Altar carrying the veiled Sto. Cristo

On Holy Wednesday and Good Friday the Poblacion offers the the Religious services and processions. Every year the Good Friday Procession is the main highlight. In the afternoon of Holy Wednesday the procession known as "Estacion Heneral", this procession is focus on the Station of Cross. Several holy images participates this procession such as Señor Nazareno, Santa Veronica, Santa Maria Magdalena, San Juan Evangelista and Mater Dolorosa. A specific place is decorated known as "Kubol" here at each station prayers are offered. The procession then ends to the church.

San Juan Evangelista

Santa Maria Magdalena, part of the original "Tress Marias"

San Pedro

The Good Friday procession is the most important. In this procession the main focus is the image of the dead Christ known as the "Sto. Entierro", this procession is also the longest due to the number of procession attendants. In the morning of Good Friday the ritual known as "Pagpapako" is held in the church Patio. This tradition is believe to have dates back to the the pre-Spanish times.

Mater Dolorosa

The Sto. Cristo, also the Sto. Entierro ,during the ritual of "Pagpapako"

The ritual of "Pagpapako"

The Sto. Cristo about to be brought down know as "Pagtatangal"

This ritual is usually starts from 12 noon to 3 in the afternoon. But due to the request of the parish the ritual was move to 9 am to 12 noon.

Santa Veronica

The original "Tres Marias" are shouldered on andas, due to the lack of carrozas. Yet gives an old feeling since they were originally carried on andas. The rest were place in carrozas. Another tradition that was revive was the clapping of the "Matraka".

Santa Salome

The procession ended in the chapel in Brgy. Bungahan with the pahalik sa Señor as the closing.

The Sto. Entierro being brought down

The Sto. Entierro

We estimated that more people attended this year. The streets was filled with devotees with candles lighting their way.