MANILA — Far from its usual scene during most of the year, the well-known party district of Poblacion in Makati turns into a holy place of prayer and reflection during the Holy Week.

While bars and restaurants are temporarily closed, families set up temporary chapels locally called the "Kalbaryo" to commemorate the Lord's Passion.

The temporary chapels line up different parts of Brgy. Poblacion in Makati.

There are at least 50 stations of "Kalbaryo," each featuring saints and characters that depict a scene from the life of Jesus Christ.

Each station also has QR codes, which when scanned would open links to with more information about the scene in the Chapel.

This "Kalbaryo of Poblacion" is a unique Holy Week practice upheld by Makati's oldest parish of Saints Peter and Paul.

The devotion started in the early 20th century and was preserved until this day.

According to elders in the village, the earliest stations of the "Kalbaryo sa Poblcion" was put up more than half a century ago.

"1946 'yan, sir. Nakaugalian na nila magpatayo. Dati hindi kami taga Makati pero nung dumating kami dito, nakikibasa na kami ng Pasyon," said Lottie Agora, one of the elder caretakers of one of the images.

(It started in 1946. They thought of setting up one chapel. We were not originally from Makati but when we arrived here, we also started chanting the Pasyon.)

"Nandyan yung mga may-ari, sila nag-aayos. Kami alalay lang kami. Nagbabasa, naglilinis, nagdidilig ng halaman," she added.

(The owners are there, they set it up while we help them. We sing, we clean the place, and water the plants.)

Residents of Poblacion, Makati take pride in their unique tradition that persisted despite modernity and commerce surrounding their quaint community.

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The tradition started with only 5 makeshift chapels and has blossomed into 50 chapels.

"Ito po pinagdiriwang tuwing Mahal na Araw. Lahat dito, gumagawa ng kapilya para magbasa ng Pasyon. Tapos may mga nagbi-Visita Iglesia hapon hanggang gabi. Tapos darating mga kilalang mga tao," said Fe Agora-Malana, also a caretaker of the holy images.

(We celebrate this every Holy Week. Residents would set up chapels to read the Pasyon. Then we do Visita Iglesia at night. Officials and well-known people also visit.)

"Miyerkules Santo, binubuo na namin ito. Tas nagbabasa kami ng Pasyon tapos meron ding Prusisyon ng mga Nazareno at Crucifix," she added.

(By Holy Wednesday, we start putting these up. Then we read the Pasyon and there would be processions too.)

On Holy Tuesday, residents hold a procession of Black Nazarene replicas and on Holy Wednesday, they hold a procession of Crucifixes.

After the procession of the Crucifixes, the traditional Pabasa, or the chanting of the Lord's Passion, is held.

The chapels remain up until Black Saturday.

"Dito sa Poblacion, dati konti lang sila eh. Pami-pamilya siya. Until dumami na sila. Nasa 50 na kalbaryo ngayon eh. Tapos yung Santo dumami na rin," said Rosalie Ramos, camarera or caretakers of one of the images.

(Before, there were only a few chapels. But they increased in number eventually. There are about 50 stations now. The number of saints also increased.)

She said each station would have a colorful history of its own.

"Etong Nazareno namin, sa Lolo ko ito. Binili nya para sa isang anak na lalaki kasi sakitin. Siguro nasa 70 years old na siya," she said.

(This image of the Black Nazarene is from my grandfather, he bought it for my sickly uncle. My uncle is now 70 years old.)

Ramos said they are determined to continue the devotion for the years to come.

"Kami deboto talaga kami ng Nazareno. Eto na yung kinalakihan namin. Taun-taon na panata namin," Ramos ended.

(We are devotees of the Black Nazarene. We grew up with this tradition. This is our annual devotion.) 

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