The time & date in Clark, Philippines is

Limlingan: Lenten Observation

April 19, 2011.
IT IS Holy Tuesday today and millions of Catholics in the Philippines are observing the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the Catholic Church has some “reminders” for its devotees.
I cannot recall how many years have passed since the Church hierarchy has ordered the shortening of the days of the Pabasa. The traditional reading (singing) of the passion of Christ used to be done in makeshift “kubuls” for five days, commencing on Holy Monday and ending on Good Friday. It was ordered to be shortened, as few are actually listening or feeling the essence of the story of Christ’s suffering.

During my younger years, I together with my friends, used to visit far-flung barangays to go to Pabasa sites and hear the singing. Often, we were offered “sopas” or “sotanghon” and bread during visits. It was observed too that near Pabasas are a number of makeshift stores selling various snacks. They likewise serve beer and other alcohol to Pabasa visitors. In a little while, brawls result, due to drunken men who are supposed to silently observe Lent while sober.
Pabasas or “puni” are often “pabonggahan”. Some kubuls are as large as regular residences. Some have high-tech sound systems. Some even serve ice cream to visitors aside from the traditional native soups. The real meaning and purpose of the Pabasa is, however, defeated as crowds treat it more as a pasyalan rather than a religious activity.
There are areas where Pabasas with loudspeakers can be found in sitios, as if there is a competition as to which among them is louder.
During the Holy Week, often during Holy Thursdays and Good Fridays, there are these “salibatbats”, the cross-carriers, the flagellants and those who depict Christ and are actually crucified on the cross. The Church discourages these practices, as we need not inflict pain and suffering for the atonement of our sins or to thank the Divine for a realized wish or petition.
I agree with the Church, as some people introduce pain to their bodies just for the heck of it or just for show. We are, in fact, duty-bound to take care of our physical bodies, as these are the temple of our souls, speaking of our religious faith. It’s better to do good other than to shed blood or suffer pain, whatever our intentions might be.
On depicting the crucifixion that our Redeemer had suffered, we, too, need not imitate the way He died. What the Divine is enjoining us is to imitate the goodness He has shown to the world and not His sufferings and death. If we want to feel sorry for our sins, we can be repentant without resorting to different “bloody” ways to mend our faults.
In the province, Lenten traditions have become crowd drawers. Various activities help boost local tourism, thus, helping boost the local economy. Sad to note, what is supposed to be a religious observance of the season has become too commercialized with, of course, the enterprising Kapampangans involved.
While we do not want them to be prevented from plying their trade, our attendance to our spiritual needs is concocted with economic activities at the wrong place and time.
The Cutud Lenten rites as always would be packed, and among the crowd are foreigners satisfying their curiosity on the actual crucifixion of penitents on the cross. I see them more in amusement rather than in reflection and depiction on what happened to Christ when he met His death. The crucifixion reenactments have become more of an entertainment rather than an opportunity to ponder on what Christ had done to redeem us from our sins.
The Lenten season is a season of spirituality. It is the time of the year wherein we should reflect on what we had done with ourselves as well as to our brothers. It is the time of spiritual peace, of solitude and reflection. It is the time of recollection of our sinful ways, being sorry for them and asking for forgiveness. While we savor our rich Kapampangan traditions, we should likewise enrich our religion, our faith, our spiritual life.
After spending time with our busy lives, this is the most opportune time to meditate and think of our faults and shortcomings to God and to others. May we have a meaningful Lenten Week.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2011/04/18/limlingan-lenten-observation-151108

Recent surge of investments going into Clark Philippines drained Clark Freeport of prime land available for long-term leases. Investors now look for partnerships and acquisition opportunities with existing businesses located in Clark Philippines.

Three new casinos, another world-class 36-hole golf course, several new hotels and resorts of varying class of luxury have opened in Philippines Clark Freeport over the last six months. Samsung Electronics just broke ground for a US$5 billion electronics plant, coincidentally in a location adjacent to the US$2 billion plant of US chip manufacturer Texas Instruments. Hundreds of hectares of prime land in the 4200-hectare main zone of Clark Freeport have quickly been occupied. Almost the entire central business district has gone off the map of available land in this fast-growth investment destination.

With its near-zero crime rate, low pollution levels, absence of traffic congestion and a favorable tax structure, Clark Freeport is well known among foreign investors as the destination of choice. Now that the Clark International Airport (DMIA) has flung into full operations with dozens of flights linking Clark to all major cities in Asia and some beyond, Clark Freeport, Pampanga has come of age.

This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon.

For assistance with organizing and planning weddings and garden receptions, log on to http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

---

If this article about Clark is useful to you, please click here to contact us to tell us what more you wish to know about this article or Clark Philippines, which can be something about Clark investment, about Clark resorts, about Clark Swimming and Leisure or simply general news about Clark.

---

Please send questions to Editor@ClarkPhilippines.com. Leave your name, email address, contact numbers and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Information received will not be disclosed.

---