CEBU CITY — Inside the historic Yap-San Diego Ancestral House in Parian, the solemn chant of the Pasyon echoed on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, as a group of devoted women gathered to take part in a time-honored Holy Week tradition.
Known as “Pasyonistas,” the women from San Roque Parish in Barangay Carreta traveled to the heritage house to perform the Pabasa, a continuous chanting of the poetic narrative recounting the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Their voices, steady and reverent, filled the centuries-old home, creating a powerful atmosphere of faith and reflection.
For years, the group has made the journey from Carreta to Parian to ensure the tradition lives on. In an age where such practices are slowly fading in many communities, their commitment stands as a testament to enduring devotion and cultural preservation.
The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, one of Cebu City’s oldest residential structures, served as a fitting backdrop for the ritual—bridging history, faith, and community in a single space.
As Holy Week begins, the Pasyonistas continue to inspire younger generations, reminding the faithful of the importance of preserving sacred traditions that define Filipino spirituality.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
