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The Easter holidays are here. Do you already know where to go during Holy Week in the Philippines?
One of the longest official holidays in the Philippines, Holy Week is often the cause of much excitement and anticipation. This 2024, the Holy Week will start on March 24, Palm Sunday to March 30, Holy Saturday.
As Christianity is the predominant religion in the Philippines, many Filipinos take advantage of the long holiday to relax and reflect on the sacrifices of Christ for mankind. Because of the long holiday, Holy Week is also the best time to go on a summer trip with family and friends. Unfortunately, as the holiday is observed all over the country, almost everyone else is heading out of town.
A Holy Week vacation sans a plan can quickly turn into a nightmare. You wind up spending most of it in the middle of traffic, battling all other holiday-makers, and not finding available accommodations, or worse. Fortunately, having an idea of where to go can save you from wasting time and money.
As with all vacations, good planning begins with deciding on a unique place to go. Lamudi Philippines can recommend a few places this Holy Week for a restful, worthwhile, even adventurous long holiday.
Batanes
Located in the northernmost portion of the Philippines, Batanes may be quite the commute for some. Still, the lack of malls and modern distractions make it a place worth making the trip to during Holy Week. Notable spots where visitors can enjoy quiet moments of reflection include Mount Iraya, Chawa Cave, and the Sabtang, Itbayat, and Batan Islands, among others.
Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur
Roughly an eight hours drive from Metro Manila, these sister provinces are quite popular for their natural surroundings and centuries-old churches. Visitors often feel like they are traveling back in time, as many of these towns have done a splendid job of preserving their structures, which date as far back as the Spanish era. These make for great places to observe the Holy Week, particularly for vacationers who observe Visita Iglesia or the tradition of visiting several churches and praying the Stations of the Cross.
La Union
Holy Week destinations are not limited to choosing between churches and beaches. South of Ilocos Sur, the province of La Union has both. It is also an alternative for those who do not want to go too far north. Touted as the “surfing capital of the north,” the Point and Darigayos beaches are the places to be for those looking to surf the holidays away.
Cagayan Valley
A region in northern Luzon directly facing the Pacific Ocean, Cagayan Valley is a place not left wanting in terms of places for outdoor activity. Its landscape is characterized by mixture of rugged mountains, emerald plains, and fine beaches. Popular places to go to in the region include Nueva Vizcaya, home of the Balete Pass Tourism Complex, Isabela, the location of the Our Lady of the Visitation Shrine, and Cagayan, where the town of Santa Ana is located and is one of the best places to view some of the most beautiful coastlines the region and country has to offer.
Sagada
Another northern location that requires a bit of dedication to traveling, Sagada is a renowned destination due to its hanging coffins, numerous caverns, and breathtaking waterfalls. The area’s cool climate, lavish scenery, and minimal distractions make it one of the best places for a Holy Week excursion. Areas in Sagada that should not be missed include Echo Valley, the Samaguing and Lumiang Caves, and its own rice terraces.
Pangasinan
The province of Pangasinan provides a great respite from the country’s major cities while also offering plenty to do and see for those planning a last-minute Holy Week vacation. One can start with the provincial capital, Lingayen, and enjoy the local food and nearby Lingayen beach. As a central point, an hour or two of travel from Lingayen can lead to other places like Alaminos, the jump-off point for those looking to visit the Hundred Islands; Dagupan City, considered the country’s milkfish capital; Bolinao, known for its white sand beaches, stunning rock formations, and waterfalls; and Manaoag, the home of Our Lady of Manaoag Church, among many others.
Tarlac
Although Tarlac is devoid of the typical beach destination, the land-locked central Luzon province is seemingly the perfect destination for Holy Week, given its reputation as a local “Holy Land.” Around half an hour from the main highway in the municipality of Bamban is a mountain with life-size images depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and a number of Bible verses, a replica of the tomb of Jesus Christ, and a 40-foot statue of Jesus on the crucifix. For leisure, vacationers can proceed to Mount Pinatubo trek adventure and Kart City Tarlac, several museums, and local waterfalls, among others.
Pampanga
Any list of where to go during Holy Week would not be complete without Pampanga. The province in itself is something of a religious mecca, having numerous churches and historical shrines which can be visited all year round. During the Lenten season. However, Pampanga gets more interesting. Especially in the city of San Fernando, visitors can witness around a dozen or so devotees reenacting the crucifixion of Christ as a form of penitence.
Metro Manila
Where to go on Holy Week? While the common answer is somewhere away from the fast and busy pace of Metro Manila, those who are unable to make concrete vacation plans can always opt to stay in the city. While many commercial establishments are closed until around Black Saturday, there are still many historical churches, like the Quiapo Church and the Manila Cathedral, which are more than worth a visit. When you feel like cooling off, there are swimming pools and spas situated in hotels, condos, and condotels all over the Metro.
Culion
Palawan is another sought-after destination for locals and foreigners, especially during the summer. Hence, expect that major tourist destinations in Palawan, such as Puerto Princesa, El Nido, and Coron, will be full of vacationers. If you want a peaceful vacation in Palawan during the Holy Week, head to Culion, a charming island 30 minutes away from Coron. Aside from its crystal blue waters and friendly locals, Culion is famous for its Culion Museum, Culion Church, and Aguila–a site where a statue of Jesus Christ stands.
Marinduque
An island province that is widely recognized as one of the safest places in the country, Marinduque’s rural setting and natural surroundings offer respite from Metro Manila’s fast pace. During Lent, the province celebrates the Moriones Festival, which is the reenactment of the legend of Longinus, a blind Roman centurion who, according to the stories, pierced Christ’s crucified body and subsequently had his sight restored by His droplets of blood.
Iloilo
The home of a number of centuries-old churches, the province of Iloilo makes for another good place in the Philippines to embark on Visita Iglesia during the Holy Week. Among the churches in the area to visit and appreciate the architecture are the Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, Miag-ao Church, and Guimbal Church, to name a few. A short boat ride away is the neighboring island province Guimaras, and its isolated beaches, marine sanctuaries, and limestone formations offer plenty of natural sights to take in.
Guimaras
While not quite a household name like Boracay and Palawan, Guimaras is an excellent alternative for those seeking crystalline waters and shores with the finest sand. It is less frequented, providing vacationers with a level of seclusion which is a little more apt for observing the Holy Week. Notable places include the Baras and Natago beaches, the Pawikan Sanctuary, and the Panaluron Falls.
Bohol
Widely known for the Tarsier sanctuary and Chocolate Hills, Bohol offers plenty of destinations for beachgoers. Apart from the island province itself, Bohol also has 75 minor islands which can be visited via different island tour packages. Like several other provinces in the Philippines, Bohol also has several classic churches which become more festive during the Holy Week, some of the most famous of which being Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, Dauis Church on Panglao or commonly known as the Church of our Lady of the Assumption.
Siquijor
Siquijor is an island province around 30 kilometers south of Cebu, and for the longest time, had a reputation for being a place of magic and sorcery. While typically endowed with numerous beach resorts, waterfalls, and springs like most island destinations, it is the locals’ alternative healing methods that make it an exciting place to visit. Coinciding with Holy Week is the island’s Healing Festival, a four-day event marked with numerous masses, holy treks, an exploration of the island’s different areas, and healing sessions.
Zamboanga
While it being a highly urbanized city and the second largest in Mindanao may be a little misleading, Zamboanga City is also a great place to visit for those who’d like to go on a pilgrimage of sorts during the Lenten season. In the city’s Abong Abong Park is Pulong Bato, where at the foot of the mountain begins the tradition of the Stations of the Cross and culminates at its peak. Carved in different areas of the mountain are religious images, which can be appreciated along with the view of the city.
Main image via Shutterstock.
