Feeling and reading

Aling Alegre said there are many lessons to be learned in the story of Christ’s suffering and resurrection as recounted in the Pasyon.

“Kung talagang didibdibin mo, masakit sa dibdib. Pag masakit sa dibdib, magbabago ka,” (If you will take it seriously, it’s heartwrenching. If so, it can change you) she said. Her whole family even reads the last page together to get a better feel of the Pasyon.

The original Pasyon text was written in Tagalog in 1704 by Gaspar Aquino de Belen, a native from Batangas who worked for a Jesuit press in Manila. It was entitled Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon Natin na Tola.

Through the Pasyon, the Filipino poor could easily relate to Christ’s life, sacrifice and ascension to heaven as they search for hope and purpose in their own lives and struggle.

Other families who host the pabasa prepare food for anybody who would come to sing the Pasyon. The pabasa could take two to three days, depending on the melody, and if the complete Pasyon is read. In Aling Alegre’s household, they start from 6 a.m. and finish by 10 p.m.

She hopes the family tradition of sharing Christ’s passion will be continued by her children.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, basta kung ano ang binabasa n’yo, ilagay n’yo sa loob n’yo,” (I tell them: You should feel with your heart whatever you are reading) Aling Alegre said. (Bulatlat.com)

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