For many Filipinos and Catholics all over the world, this week is one of the most important weeks in their calendar. I say “their” because I am not one of them. I am Filipino and I was born and raised a Catholic.
“Was” because I used to be a devout Catholic and practiced the religion to its strictest sense. But over the years, I learned that at the end of the day, what matters most is one’s faith. Faith not necessarily in a particular god, but in a higher being. Many people do not know this but I no longer believe in organized religion or any institution that has something to do with it.
I have had debates with my mom about this, but I think she now understands where I’m coming from. And although she doesn’t really agree with my beliefs, she respects them. Initially, she alluded my non-belief in the Catholic faith to my UP education. We used to have fights over dinner about my plans of non-observance of the sacraments and the traditions during Holy Week. It has been 10 years since I was a freshman in college and I think we have agreed to disagree on matters of religion.
My mom called me up yesterday and asked me where I was gonna spend my Holy Week. She knew for a fact that I would rather go to work, stay home or go on an out-of-town trip with friends but she still asked me what my plans were. I told her that I would probably just stay home, watch DVDs and blog. I prepared myself for another round of verbal castigations and a shortened version of a whole summer’s worth of Catechism classes.
To my surprise, » Read more: Holy Week: The Mom and Bakla