Keeping the Gratitude Alive

by: Rose Eunice Gacutan and Carl Daniel Reyes

In the early morning of Holy Wednesday, 22-year-old Schneider Arbas joined in the chanting of Pabasa ng Pasyon, a practice regarded by many as antiquated and outmoded in a society that is rapidly modernizing.

For his devoutly religious extended family, Pabasa represents a "panata" for them, as a way of thanksgiving for the continued life of his maternal cousin.

“Dinevote ng family namin yung Pabasa tradition para as a form of gratitude, kasi nasurvive ng pinsan ko or nadeliver siya ng maayos, and okay yung condition niya,” Arbas told the Six Stars Capitol in an interview.

Arbas’ family started this devotion when his aunt was carrying his cousin, Jenine, in her womb who was suffering from cleft palate and complications which led to an operation.

Eventually, the operation was a success which led the family to conduct their annual Pabasa every holy week.

“Nag-start siya, most likely, mga 30 years ago. So, since then, naging consistent yung practice ng Pabasa sa family namin. Tapos, hanggang ngayon, kahit nung pandemic or nung nagkaroon ng ECQ, kahit unti lang yung pumupunta, ine-ensure pa rin yung pabasa,” Arbas explained.

For Arbas, he was exposed to this tradition at a very early age when his mother started to bring him to his maternal ancestral house in Tondo, Manila.

“Sa akin, nung time na iyon, ang perception ko sa event na iyon ay way para makita ko yung mga pinsan ko and makapag-laro kami. Nakalakihan ko na siya, everytime na mag Hoholy Wednesday, ganon yung ganap. Habang lumaki ka ng lumaki, hindi naman sa binuburden, pero nireremind kami ng lola namin na, ‘Oh, kayo na ang susunod ha,’” he said.

His family annually commences the Pabasa every morning or evening of Holy Wednesday and targets to finish it before noon of Good Friday.

They execute this tradition by chanting and singing the verses of the Pasyon to keep the sanctity of the Holy Week

A time of reflection and commemoration

Arbas believes that traditions such as Pabasa are a reminder that Holy Week is sacred, especially in contemporary times where there are those who reject the sanctity and validity of these traditions.

“May mga rejectionists na inaassociate yung mga ganitong Holy Week Traditions sa Spanish colonization tapos nire-renounce dapat yon. Medyo natataint na yung underlying meaning ng mga practices,” the bachelor said.

“Every chapter or every certain verse, mayroong lesson eh. Para siyang synthesis ng mga previous words, at ineexplain yung mga lessons na pwede nating pulutin. Like yung mga sins, na mapapatawad ka, ganon. Basically, more of a reflective notes siya, and important siya especially sa last part ng Pabasa,” he added.

His elders continuously remind him that observing these traditions is a form of sacrifice and an act of penance.

His grandmother also told him that finishing the Pabasa also grants your small wishes to come true.

“Pero for me kasi, hindi yun yung time para mag-ask ng wish, kasi yung time na yun dapat more on sacrifice, so dapat wala na sana hinihingi pabalik,” Arbas explained.

Carrying the traditions forward

While his deeply religious family encourages them to partake and continue in observing these holy week traditions, especially the Pabasa, it is not imposed upon Arbas and his younger relatives.

“Andun yung mga habilin na sinasabi na ‘ituloy niyo to, ganyan’ pero I think for me, the mere fact na nagbibigay sila ng effort and time para maintindihan namin yung pabasa or any other traditions, and ineecourage kami na maging consistent, is enough na,” he said.

He also added that this manner of approach makes it not a burden to them in continuing the long-established tradition.

Arbas is also certain that their family's ability to continually follow their traditions in an increasingly secular world has never been a concern.

“Hindi magiging concern na hindi to magli-live on, especially sa pinsan ko na inalay ang pabasa na ito na mabuhay siya. Enough testament na ito that as long as my cousin lives, or as long as nabubuhay kami at may mai-cocontribute kami to thrive the tradition, so why not?” he said.

In keeping the tradition alive, Arbas believes that reasons and philosophies are essential in understanding why these observances have to be done.

Serving as a role model to his younger relatives is likewise important for him in continuing the Pabsa since they are well-equipped and knowledgeable with its technicalities and flow.

Clout-chasing in a positive way

Arbas believes that his generation who is observing holy week traditions for the sake of clout can still offer positive effects through attracting and engaging others through social media.

“For me, kasi yung way ng clout, reformative and influential kasi siya. Baka naman mamaya, yung pag-engage ng mga Gen Z sa mga traditions na ito, na sinasabi or nilalabel natin na nag clo-cloutchase is beneficial naman talaga para maengage din yung iba. I think, okay din naman siya as a way of introducing these practices to other people,” he said.

He also observes that this generation lacks the appreciation of core values and understanding of the importance of the traditions.

“Ginagawa nila kasi sinabihan sila na dapat ito gawin, ginagawa nila kasi kasama si tropa na nag-vivisita iglesia at para makagala. Religiously, dapat nandun pa rin yung purpose ng pagbabasa. Hindi dapat, may peer pressure. Iyon yung pinaka in-integrate natin na hindi dapat gawin ng future generation,” he said.

Clout chasing is influencing or doing something in social media in order for a person to be popular or gain followers.

Keeping the religious faith as Gen Z

Arbas suggested a cost-benefit approach when asked how to get more people to respect the solemnity of Holy Week and its related customs.

“Yung mindset nila, 'kung hindi naman ako magbebenefit dyan, bakit i-aattempt ko pa maging involved?' Siguro kailangan lang ipaintindi. Mostly sa ating mga Gen Z, challenged emotionally and spiritually. Hindi ko sinasabi na way siya para iaddress yung mga psychological, emotional, or spiritual concerns mo, pero kasi lahat naman tayo may sariling preferences,” the fifth year architecture student said.

Arbas maintains that following these customs may bring about inner calm and comfort since it encourages introspection and self-analysis, both of which are crucial in making sense of one's place and purpose in life.

“Kahit through this one week of tradition sa pagkamatay and pagkabuhay ni Jesus ay magkaroon tayo ng journey back sa spirituality natin. Dahil as human beings, part na natin ang pagiging spiritual, kaya kailangan natin i-convince yung iba at i-engage ang sarili natin to partake in these traditions,” he said.

Even in his young age, Arbas adopted a mature point of view in faith as influenced by his pious household he grew up with, as well as the teachings imparted to them by their elders.

He also believes that partaking in the Holy Week traditions consistently has allowed him to realize that faith in the Man Above helps him direct his life in a world full of uncertainty.

“Through this, marerember natin na 'May Diyos pala, may willing naman pala na tumulong, meron palang makakatulong sa akin,’” he said.