Stores open on easter
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008Last Sunday was Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week in Christendom. Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, ends Holy Week and the season of Lent.
In the Philippines, practically the whole nation took the day off on Good Friday and everything was at a standstill. All stores were closed, some as early as Holy Wednesday. On Holy Saturday, stores open and put up displays for Easter –Easter bunnies and Easter egg hunts.
While the commercial world prepares to exploit Easter, the Catholic world (the Philippines is predominantly Catholic) prepares for the ritual “Salubong” –meeting in English. The ritual celebrates the first meeting (after the Crucifixion) of the Risen Christ and His Mother.