It’s
Holy Week! It’s time to reflect on the life, death and message of Jesus.
The
most sacred of the year, each blessed day of the Holy Week is special and has
something unique to offer. It begins with the Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday. The
Triduum (Holy or Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) is a day of
sober reflection. And on Holy Saturday, that is the Easter Vigil, Jesus rose
triumphantly from the dead.
Years
ago, the week used to be marked in the color red on a calendar. The
neighborhood was so quiet. Business establishments were closed for one week.
The elders bought rice and viands good for one week. My lola and aunties warned us not to take a bath at 3 pm. on Good
Friday, monsters and demons are most powerful
during Good Friday, wounds heal longer when acquired during Holy Week and
traveling during Holy Week will bring accidents. (It was an effective stay at
home parenting.)
People
could only go to church. Lola told us
to celebrate the Holy Week by fasting (menu: porridge or lugaw,
binignit and puspas) and attending church services. Families prayed at
the Stations of the Cross, listened to the Siete
Palabras and meditated on the Word and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. It
was a must to attend the procession or libud
during Good Friday to see the images of saints and Jesus on decorated carrozas. Those who stayed at home could watch movies
on TV. , we were gravitated toward an annual viewing
of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten
Commandments,
Himala |
Son of God- Son of God came out in theaters this past
weekend. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays the role of Jesus as the film
spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate
resurrection. (Jesus Christ: We are going to change the
world.)
The Ten Commandments- One of cinema’s
greatest movies of all time. The Ten Commandments is iconic filmmaking. (Moses:
There is a beauty beyond the senses, Nefretiri. Beauty like the quiet of green
valleys and still waters. Beauty of the spirit that you cannot understand.)
The Passion of the
Christ-
This movie is a revealing, personal look into Jesus’ final hours on Earth. Amid
much controversy involving Mel Gibson and various religious organizations, the
intense nature of the film’s depiction of Christ’s sufferings is worth
watching. (Jesus Christ: My heart is ready.)
Joseph King of Dreams- The Bible provides
the subject matter for this story about Joseph and his brothers. From being a
servant, Joseph became second in command to the pharaoh of Egypt. (Joseph: I'm your brother!)
Jesus of Nazareth- This movie by
Franco Zeffirelli is a classic!
The Prince of Egypt- This epic animated feature
covers all the classic story points of the story of Moses, including the ten
plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. When Moses encounters the burning bush
and confronts a God who calls Himself “I Am That I Am,” it is almost as if the
scene compels the audience to remove their shoes for holy ground is underfoot. (God:
Who made man’s mouth? Who made the deaf, the mute, the seeing or the blind? Did
not I? Now go!)
End of Days- It’s about Satan's
love life. Satan has returned to Earth and is walking the streets of New York
City to find a woman will bear his child (The Man: For a thousand years you've
waited for my return. Behold, you have failed. And with your dying breath, you
will bear witness to the End of Days.)
The Da Vinci Code- Dan Brown's controversial
best-selling novel about the Church’s powerful secret that's been kept under
wraps for thousands of years comes to the screen. (Silas: Lord give me strength.)
The Greatest Story
Ever Told
– Like The Ten Commandments, it
highlights the events of Jesus’ life from birth to his death and resurrection.
It also portrays the warmth and connection between Jesus and ordinary people.
Himala-This CNN Viewers
Choice Award as Asia Pacific Best Film of All Time tells the story of Elsa, a
barrio lass whose visions of the Virgin Mary change her life and cause a
sensation hysteria in a poor, isolated village in the midst of drought. (Elsa:
Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat! Tayo ang
gumagawâ ng mga himala! Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga diyos..)
Tanging Yaman- This heartrending
drama opens our eyes to what truly makes a family. It tells the story of family’s matriarch and
her struggles to unite the family. (Loleng: Cake ko yan!)
Magnifico-
It is impossible to resist watching this movie about a young boy Magnifico who
wants to give
his
ailing grandmother a decent funeral. The movie is a definition of sentimental
overload.
Lovingly Yours, Helen (The Movie)- Due to immense popularity of the program, Lovingly Yours, Helen was turned into an
anthology movie. The first movie episode, Akin
ang Walang Diyos, is our own version of the Exorcist and the Exorcism of Emily
Rose. Julie Vega starred as a girl
possessed by an evil entity. (Demonyo: Akin kayo na walang Diyos!)
***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.
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