Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered that the NCR Plus which consists of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine as new COVID-19 cases surged to record levels.
This means non-essential travel outside the bubble is prohibited from March 29 – April 4, 2021, in a bid to arrest the surging new cases of COVID-19. With this, Manila Standard and the Department of Tourism (DOT) curated a list of virtual activities to keep you grounded during the lent season:
MANILA
Intramuros Administration’s Holy Week Activities goes Virtual | Manila
Intramuros has temporarily closed popular tourist sites such as the Fort Santiago, the Casa Manila Museum, Plaza Roma, Baluarte De San Diego, and the President’s Gallery “until further notice.” In response, Intramuros Administration (IA) has shifted its Lenten activities like the Stations of the Cross and Visita Iglesia to a virtual platform that gives the public access to the sights and treasures of the historic Walled City, especially during the commemoration of 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.
Intramuros Learning Session with Bro. Ivan Kendrick Panganiban
“MGA MAHAL NA ARAW, MGA BANAL NA ARAW: Theology and Heritage of Faith in Holy Week Practices in the Philippines”
Schedule: Monday, March 29, 2021, at 3:00 PM
IA-led Virtual Visita Iglesia
This will showcase different Churches and Chapels inside the Walled City.
Schedule: Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021.
Virtual Stations of the Cross taken inside the historic Fort Santiago
Schedule: Good Friday, April 2, 2021.
All these virtual events will be posted on Intramuros Administration’s official Facebook page or at https://www.facebook.com/OfficialIntramurosAdministration
You may also check The Manila Cathedral's Facebook page, fb.com/themanilacathedral, for the daily Masses and other online Holy Week activities.
REGION 3
BULACAN
“PASYON: Senakulo Filipino” | Bulacan
Schedule: March 29 – April 4, 2021
Many towns have their version of 'senákulo,' a play where locals dramatically depict the Passion of Jesus Christ, complete with costumes and stage sets. It's an interesting mix of religious devotion and pageantry. Senakulo is an activity to teach the youth about the teachings of the Lord according to Caritas Dei, Inc. which made its vow to uphold Filipino culture while serving the Lord.
Even with the pandemic, Caritas Dei is committed to preserving the tradition of Bulakenyos and their commitment to perform the Senakulo during Holy Week. In line with this, film viewing of their highly-touted production will commence in different churches across Bulacan from March 29 until April 4, 2021.
Watch the play through this link: https://www.ktx.ph/category/senakulo-filipino
BATAAN
Virtual Tours of Bataan | Bataan
Schedule: Ongoing
Explore the province of Bataan, a place which has witnessed the defeat and triumph of heroic Filipinos. Explore their 360° virtual tour offering which includes Five Fingers Cove, Philippine – Japan Friendship Tower, and other must-see destinations.
“Until it’s safe to physically travel to these destinations, #DitoMunaTayo,” says Behold Bataan, the tourism arm of the province of Bataan while recommending the following digital destinations among their 21 total virtual tours:
Mt. Samat (https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/tours/WgsD9Boxey)
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/tours/A91QBFxI-7)
Minor Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani (https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/tours/H1Qhqn3S14)
Visit Behold Bataan website here, https://virtualtour.beholdbataan.ph/, to know more about the virtual tour.
TARLAC
Short Virtual Tours of Tarlac | Tarlac Province
Schedule: Ongoing
Thanks to the “Travel Tomorrow” initiative of Tarlac, a series of short virtual tours have been made available not only for Tarlaceños, but for everyone to see. This includes the Capas National Shrine in Capas, The La Sagrada Familia Church in Gerona, and the Canarem Lake Bird Sanctuary in Victoria, to name a few.
“We all know you're all excited to visit our local destinations, but we all have to stay home and stay safe for now,” said Tourism Administrative Officer Errol Sabile.
“This was done para maengganyo ulit ang mga tao, na hindi makalimot, na meron pa rin na tourism destination sa Tarlac after pandemic,” added Sabile, who spearheaded the production of the videos with writer Diogenes Simbol.
Access the short virtual tours here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/15nXwLnmQw8HSf3lVA9lZT-JiEqGq_3zR
REGION 4-A
LAGUNA
Visita Iglesia Laguna | Laguna
Laguna is truly home to a number of the most beautiful churches in the country. It’s also proud for being one of the first provinces to create ‘virtual church visitation’ in the Philippines. Check out these majestic edifices, in detail, without leaving your home.
Among its featured churches is the San Pablo Cathedral with its neo-classic facade established by the Augustinian friars in 1586, with the present structure built in 1714. Other churches in Laguna featured are San Isidro Labrador Parish in Calauan, San Agustin Parish in Bay, La Ressurreccion Parish in Victoria.
In a Facebook post, the Laguna Tourism Culture Arts and Trade Office says the virtual Visita Iglesia in Laguna will “bring us to the different Diocesan Churches in Laguna, beginning from San Pedro City to Santa Maria on the other side of our beautiful province.”
According to the office, the virtual tours allow people to walk through the entire expanse of each church while allowing viewers to see details from its mural paintings to religious artifacts.
Virtual Visita Iglesia Link – https://virtual.reality.travel/visita-iglesia-laguna/
Virtual Visita Iglesia in Laguna Launching- https://www.facebook.com/LTCATO/videos/449682332967107
QUEZON
Dulaan sa Lansangan 2021 – The Virtual Edition | Quezon
Schedule: March 31, 2021
One unique way that the people of Quezon province showcase their customs, traditions, and local heritage is through the “Dulaang Lansangan” activity of Sariaya that highlights the talents of its people.
According to Jeffrey Jumarang, Tourism Operations Officer of Sariaya, the municipality still finds it necessary to hold the activity to “relive biblical events pertinent to the life, tribulations and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ despite the pandemic.”
And this is through giving the public access to their religious events digitally.
This year’s event will be entirely different from the usual street and stage performances of the group as everything will be streamed live on Facebook simultaneously. You can access the pre-recorded videos on March 31, 2021 via Sariaya Tourism Official Facebook Page here: https://web.facebook.com/tourismsariaya/?_rdc=1&_rdr
REGION 7
"Bound by History: Magellan, Santo Nino, and the Beginnings of the Augustinian Evangelization" Part 3 #SantoNinoAt500
The talks will revolve around The Augustinians: Their Pioneering Missionary Work and its Impact on the Faith Growth and the Philippine Society on April 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. (PST).
Visit this link to view the talks: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/santoninoat500webinarseriespart3-the-augustinians-tickets-146699954513?fbclid=IwAR2hw9-2Z3D2yAvcYy_woP9vSX1X4P2_v3vHCfmch9yHBo5su8pbwtjVW1Q
This is the third of the three-part Santo Niño at 500 webinar series "Bound by History: Magellan, Santo Niño, and the Beginnings of the Augustinian Evangelization" organized by the Santo Niño at 500 Committee of the Order of Saint Augustine – Province of Santo Niño de Cebu and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in partnership with the National Quincentennial Committee, Republic of the Philippines, Cultural and Historical Affairs Office – Cebu City, 500 Years of Christianity – Archdiocese of Cebu and Philippine Embassy in Spain.
Fun fact, there are actually 34 historical markers that will be unveiled within this celebratory period. If you’d like to know more about these incredible milestones like the 500th Anniversary of the Victory at Mactan or the 500th Anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world, you may visit https://nqc.gov.ph/en/#
CASA Gorordo's "Online Procession"
Schedule: April 1, 2021 | Afternoon
“Having our century-old carrozas be part of the procession during the Semana Santa is one of our House Traditions. We are virtually keeping it alive this year by sharing this short video clip,” says Rave Axl Fabria, Museum Officer of Casa Gorordo Museum, a house museum located in the historic Parian area of Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines.
“We hope that everyone stays home safe and celebrates a meaningful Holy Week in this difficult time,” as he invites everyone to visit their Facebook Page https://web.facebook.com/casagorordomuseum?_rdc=1&_rdr to view their short video presentation.
According to the DOT, the Holy Week has always been a strategic opportunity for growth in the tourism sector, however, the department’s goals for the sector will have to yield given the recent surge in COVID cases.
“Hopefully, these will pave the way to a safer and more resilient resumption of tourism activities in the future,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat.
“With this, we would also like to express our gratitude to the hotel industry and airlines for allowing their clients to rebook without penalties as they support the goals of this administration for a healthy and safe tourism industry,” she added.
So, soak up learnings as well as renew your appreciation of the various cultures and significant historical events in the Philippines from the safety of your home through these virtual events this coming Holy Week!
For more information about the Philippines, visit philippines.travel.