Holy Week Then and Now

Back then, I remember, when Holy Week comes, it's supposed to be a solemn week. All the channels would only play religious shows on Holy Thursday and will go off the air at Good Friday. While during Black Saturdays, all TV stations would only air in the afternoon. Then regular programming would resume on Easter Sunday. The same goes for radio broadcasting. Going of to a pleasure cruise during Holy Week is bad back then. Malls and department stores are closed on Good Friday and Black Saturday. Even fast food chains. There'll be no one in the streets come Holy Week. Most of the people are praying either in their homes or in the churches. It was kinda gloomy way back then.

But now, it's not the same as before. Programs on TV are aired during Holy Week due to Cable. Because of Cable TV, most of the local TV Stations nowadays air regular programming on Holy Week. Ofcourse, they still show religious programs. Radio stations also air regular music but sometimes as a form of advertisment, they would air some Bible scriptures and little prayers. Most of the people nowadays, would go to Puerto Galera, Boracay, Palawan or HongKong to celebrate Holy Week. Well, it's not really a celebration. They would go there for some R&R from work (for it is a very long holiday). Most of them won't pray there. They'll just party. (So Sad). Malls are open during Holy week but with shorter schedules. Even fastfood chains are open to and serve some dishes with fish on it.

So as you can see, Holy Week is not that solemn anymore. To some, it's just a typical non working holiday. I, myself, admits that during the old days, Holy Week is so boring. There was nothing to do. But now, with the introduction of the new technology and ideology, everything changes. Let us not forget what Holy Week truly means. These are the days when Christ sacrificed his life in order to save us from our sins and rise again. So somehow, let us keep this week as solemn as possible.

Bounce!