FROM THE YOUNG TO THE OLD: Pabasa for Generations

I doubt you are a Filipino if you have never even heard a Pabasa ng Pasyon singing even once in your entire life. It is everywhere every Holy Week, every kanto, every bisita, in every barangay. You might even have been LSSed by its famous signature melody synched with the scorching heat of the sun. Oh, Mahal na Araw.

Pabasa singers, judging from a major perspective, are commonly composed of mid aged women in their 40s up to the age they can still sing. And right now, they are facing the challenge of how they will be able to pass the tradition to younger Catholics that have a little time to spare when it comes to unfamiliar, unappeasing things.

Pabasa ng Pasyon                                                       Source: akoaypilipino.eu

But in a Barangay in Calumpit, things are upside down. The youth are those who are leading the tradition to encourage older members to hop on the wagon.

Sonia Bondoc, 59 years old from barangay Palimbang, led the Pasyon for the first time ever in her Catholic years with the help of the Kabataan organization in their area.

“Ngayon palang ako nag Pasyon pero dati pumupunta punta na ako, dumadalaw ako sa tuwing may Pabasa d’yan,”

Bondoc reasoned out that she wasn’t able to go to the previous years’ Pabasa because she has her relatives visit their house every Holy Week. Her siblings come from Laguna and just visits Calumpit to watch Senakulos and Penitensyas.

Now, they already have house helpers to do all the cooking for her visitors that she had a chance and enough courage to be part of the Pasyon.

She also praised the members of the youth of Palimbang for their initiative to lead the 3-day event.

“Sa mga kabataan, madali nilang nasusundan yung lalo na 'yon, mga tunog na tulad sa Pasyon. Halos kabataan din ngayon ang kumakanta kaya masaya,”

Bondoc showed that it was never too late for people with ages like of hers to learn and lead the Pasyon.

Meanwhile, Leslie De Guzman, a 14 year-old, was one of the leaders of the Pabasa ng Pasyon for three years up to this year. From such an early age, she became an example for other youngsters to join and practice the tradition with them.

She continues to sing and read the Passion of Christ for her ka-Barangays to hear all out of pure dedication and faith.

De Guzman also believes that Pasyon will never vanish as long as the people of the church keep going together.

“Hindi, kasi lagi kaming nagkakaisa dito e, tsaka bale hindi na s'ya mawawala kasi ito lang pinupuntahan ng mga tao,” ended Leslie.