by Rowena Luna
PABASA, a traditional Lenten Filipino Catholic devotion, is one of the oldest Holy Week tradition which begun in the 17th century. It was started by Spanish Missionaries in melodic form and translated into Tagalog so the Filipino indigenous people could be familiar with it. It is a continuous chanting of a long epic “narration” of the Passion, starting with the creation, life, passion, resurrection of Jesus Christ, until after His death. The first Tagalog version of Pasiong Mahal was written by Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1764.
Families/devotees typically have reasons to continue the tradition: “panata”, or a form of thanksgiving for blessings received or as an expression of faith in Jesus. It usually starts on Holy Monday until Maundy Thursday, ending Good Friday at 3:00 PM. Filipinos have carried on this tradition in foreign lands, modifying the day and time because of work schedules and weather constraints.
PABASA,traditionally starts with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by the Litany of Saints in front of an altar. Once started, chanting is continuous until the last page of “ Pasiong Mahal” is sung. The ending prayer is variable: it can be a recitation of the Divine Chaplet, Litany of the Passion of Christ, or any prayer depending upon the organizers’ choice.
The chanting is performed in shifts in homes with a makeshift purple cloths covered altar with images of the suffering Christ. Alternate singing of two groups takes turns with varying melodic chanting according to region or community.
Organizers prepare snacks like arroz caldo, guinatan, lugaw, and most often for drink, warm squeezed ginger “salabat” is served.
Although we are far away from home, such a tradition not only brings back memories from the Philippines but also renews/strengthens our faith and hope in this troubled world.
Rowena Luna is a registered nurse by profession. She is a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center College of Nursing. Currently, Rowena is employed at the West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, where she has practiced nursing since 1985. She is the Charge Nurse at the said hospital’s PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). Rowena has been coordinating the Pabasa at Rizal Center since the early 2000s, together with the Dancing With Joy and the First Saturday Devotees.
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