Discovering tradition and culture during the Holy Week
Holy Week will be celebrated by the Roman Catholic World on April 5 to 8 and there won't be any work. These four-long days offer a good opportunity to rediscover what the Lent season is all about. For us who have been exposed to modern ways of celebrating the season by going to Boracay to get that perfect tan and getting drunk after a party, there is an alternative in store. Something that is more solemn but a chance to discover Ilonggo culture and tradition by traveling to the countryside and the beaches.
"We are bringing back the traditional way of observing the Holy Week but with some blend of the modern ways," according to Ben Jimena, City Tourism officer.
The City Government, Provincial Government, Association of Iloilo Travel and Tour Operators, Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association and the City Tourism Office have concocted several tour packages that are easy on the budget yet at the same time, very rewarding.
PACKAGES
Tour Package One is a Visita Iglesia of the Jaro Cathedral, San Jose church, Molo Church, Villa Church, Tigbauan Church, Guimbal Church and Miag-ao Church on April 5; Way of the Cross in Calinog and Kapiya in Cabatuan or Sta. Barbara Church on April 6; San Jose Church fo the Devotees of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, St. Clement's Church and Jaro Cathedral on April 7; and Salubongan in Leganes and tour of Roca Encantada, Oro Verde Mango Plantation, Trade and Investment Center and time for swimming and snorkeling at Guimaras on April 8.
Tour Package Two includes Visita Iglesia on April 5; Way of the Cross at Balaan Bukid, recollection at Trappist Monastery and Pagtaltal sa Jordan in Guimaras on April 6; recollection on April 7; and Salubongan and tour of Iloilo City on April 7.
Tour Package Three includes the Visita Iglesia on April 5; Way of the Cross at Balaan Bukid, recollection at Trappist Monastery, Pagtaltal sa Jordan, Guimaras, Kapiya in Molo or Jaro Cathedral Church on April 6; recollection on April 7; and Salubongan in Leganes and Iloilo City tour on April 8.
The five days and four nights tour with transportation costs P3,500 per person. For the day tours, it's P750 per day except for Easter Sunday tour of Guimaras at P1,250.
DISCOUNTS
Also, hotels are offering 50 percent discount in room accommodations from April 5 to 9, according to Emil Diez, president of the ICVB.
"Hotels, restaurants and resorts have agreed to open during the Holy Week," added Robert Ferrer, head of the IHRRA.
Jimena also assured tourists that toilet facilities are in place. "We have coordinated with the localities to prepare clean restrooms and other facilities. Some will even provide home stay facilities just in case guests will have difficulty going home," he said.
As for the much-waited Pagtaltal sa Guimaras that happens on a Good Friday, Marissa Descutido, the event's coordinator, said that it is already 90 percent ready.
Jimena said that since the project is on its initial phase, they are not expecting an influx of tourists yet. "What we propose now is to create awareness for this new tourist attraction. But we want to be able to sustain this in the coming years," he said.
Those who are interested to avail of the tour packages or have inquiries, can call 0927-887-7456 or 3372172.