Push Admin

Keeping the faith by keeping centuries-old tradition of 'pabasa'

Article (news)

Text and Photos by Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News contributor

<p>On Holy Monday, Marlon John Eugenio, 24, helped his family organize their 11th year of “pabasa” ng “Mahal na Pasyon” at their home in Sta. Barbara, Baliwag, Bulacan.</p><p>A tradition that dates back to 1704, Filipino Catholics practise the “pabasa” by chanting melodic phrases of the “Pasyong Mahal,” a narrative on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in observance of the Holy Week.</p><p>“Pabasa” usually begins after Palm Sunday mass but some opt to hold it on other days of the Holy Week.</p><p>The Eugenio family started hosting their own “pabasa” after receiving a life-size image of Saint Veronica in 2008.</p><p>Saint Veronica is known as the woman who offered her veil to Jesus so he can wipe the blood and sweat off his face. It is one of the religious images included in the annual Holy Week Procession of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church, in Makinabang, Baliwag, Bulacan.</p><p>As host, the family plans ahead to ensure that logistical requirements during the “pabasa” such as food, drinks, chairs and the sound system are well provided for the readers, as they uninterruptedly complete the whole book, composed of 2,500 stanzas of 5 8-syllabic lines.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1436785" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Normally led by elderly women in their 60s and 70s, the &quot;Pasyong Mahal&quot; is read using classic tunes. Surprisingly, a younger generation of readers has shown interest in participating during the “pabasa” that usually takes 1 to 3 days to conclude. Musical instruments and more modern melodies are sometimes arranged to entice the youth to join.</p><p>Marlon John Eugenio believes that this is a good way for younger people to fully understand the essence of the Catholic devotion.</p><p>“Reading &#x27;Mahal na Pasyon&#x27; helps us Catholics to remind ourselves about the sacrifices and sufferings of Jesus Christ,” he said. &quot;A way to help the Church spread God’s words.&quot;</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/1-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/2-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/3-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/4-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/5-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/6-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/7-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/8-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/9-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/10-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/03/29/11-pabasa-baliuag-mal.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>An image of Saint John the Evangelist is part of the tableau of saints inside the Eugenio-Lopez residence for the family&#x27;s pabasa of the &quot;Pasyon ng Poong Mahal.&quot; John the Evangelist is the given name to the author of the Gospel of John. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Marlon John Eugenio sets up the images of saints into a tableau for their annual &quot;pabasa.&quot; <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Readers chant verses of the “Pasyong Mahal” inside the Eugenio-Lopez residence in Baliwag, Bulacan for the family&#x27;s annual pabasa on Holy Monday. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Elderly women read the book of &quot;Pasyon&quot; for the annual &quot;pabasa&quot; at the Eugenio-Lopez residence in Baliwag, Bulacan. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A woman reads the book of &quot;Pasyon&quot; at the Eugenio-Lopez residence for their annual &quot;pabasa&quot; on Monday. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Elderly women read the book of &quot;Pasyon&quot; for the annual &quot;pabasa&quot; at the Eugenio-Lopez residence in Baliwag, Bulacan. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A young man leads the reading of the book of &quot;Pasyon&quot; inside the Eugenio-Lopez residence. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A woman chants the &quot;Pasyong Mahal&quot; with her grandchildren. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A young woman teaches a child how to chant &quot;Mahal na Pasyon.&quot; <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Marlon John Eugenio, together with his friends, leads the &quot;pabasa ng Pasyon&quot; and chants in different classic tunes. <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A little girl watches while a guitarist accompanies the readers of the &quot;Pasyon.&quot; <em>Mark Arvin Lazaro, ABS-CBN News</em></p></div></div></div>

<p>A family in Bulacan is looking for ways to make the longstanding tradition of the "pabasa" relevant to today's youth.</p>

A family in Bulacan is looking for ways to make the longstanding tradition of the "pabasa" relevant to today's youth.

Keeping the faith by keeping centuries-old tradition of 'pabasa'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Lifestyle

Keeping the faith by keeping centuries-old tradition of 'pabasa'

Text and Photos by Mark Arvin Lazaro,

ABS-CBN News contributor

Published March 29, 2018 02:47 PM PHT

|

Updated March 29, 2018 02:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Pabasa

Mahal a Pasyon

Baliwag Bulacan

John Eugenio

Holy Week

slideshow

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.