Last March 21, 2008 (Good Friday), “Maleldo 2008″ (Capampangan’s term referring to Holy Week) was held in Barangays San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia and San Juan. The Passion of Christ is remembered during that week.
Maleldo (sometimes called Kaleldo) is an annual event in Pampanga. The word comes from the phrase mal a aldo, which means holy day. In my land of origin, that is in Bacolor, Pampanga, there were mandarame who whipped their backs while walking. That is called the penitensya. Some were crucified for they believe that their prayers will be answered and sins will be forgiven.
Another tradition in Bacolor was the Paso. The stress is on the first syllable. Here, more than 150 people will walk barefooted in the night of the Good Friday as a part of the Limbun (prusisyon in Tagalog). Each Paso depicts the symbol of a happening (or a symbol itself) in the Passion and that’s why these are arranged in a “chronological” manner. This tradition has been done since the Spanish occupation. One cannot easily have a Paso because it’s a privilege to have such.
In the modern times, only a few of elder people carry their Paso for the others have already died. The Paso is passed to generations: thus, now, the youth is taking it’s turn. The disappointing thing, they don’t want to walk barefooted anymore.
I for one, once viewed the PASO at bacolor Pampanga just this last good friday, i found out that the ritual is really unique compared with the other processions found in the province. the solemnity of the ritual as well as the respect of the people in the symbles they possess still manifested in their culture.
ATG
Cultural Researcher
[Reply]
John Carl Reply:
May 4th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Hello Ariel! Actually, one of the original goals of this blog was to promote Capampangan culture and heritage. Last month, I was planning to post an entry about the Maleldo 2010 and Bacolor’s Paso. I, myself, participated in the medidation. And I guess, my resources would suffice the information needed to be written.
I’ll think about writing it in the following weeks.
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