In the town of Angono, Rizal, the red carpet is rolled out for Palm Sunday with accompanying dancing and feasting.
In the old town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, a procession is held on Holy Monday, with participants going out into four directions from the center, following the shape of the cross.
In Bantayan, Cebu thousands join the traditional procession of the 14 stations of the cross on Holy Thursday, beginning at the main Catholic Church of Sta. Fe in the late afternoon.
On the other hand, flagellants from the mining towns of Paracale, Camarines Norte prostrate themselves at the church door at 3:00 p.m., the hour of Christ’s death.
In most areas, flagellants proceed to the river or sea for a dip. On emerging, it is believed, they are healed and become a new person.
In Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga, penitents congregate as early as Holy Wednesday, but the climax is crucifixion on Good Friday.
In Baliwag, Bulacan, ox-drawn carts owned by the town’s affluent families participate in the procession, which is alternately held in the northern and southern parts of town.
At least 40 carts with larger-than-life images of saints, fully adorned with flowers, lighting and sound effects, outdo each other in this particular procession.
In San Pablo, Laguna, life-size religious images are enthroned in antique, hand-tooled "carrozas" or carts, most of them family heirlooms of the affluent Potenciano and Escudero families of the city.
The procession starts from the city and winds through the serene roads of Laguna. In Paete, the life-sized wooden images are manipulated so that they can move their arms and heads.
On the other hand, the "colorum" procession of Quezon province traces its roots to a belief that the Holy Land is located somewhere in legendary Mt. Banahaw.
Every year on Good Friday, large crowds start from the town of Dolores and retrace Christ’s story, stopping at the rock where Jesus was supposed to have prayed. The spots where he supposedly fell and the mountain’s summit (Calvary) where his footmarks are said to have been found.
Up north, Agoo in La Union and Vigan in Ilocos Sur also hold Good Friday processions that are attended by thousands of devotees. Preparations for these processions are elaborate and the results rewarding for visitors and observers.
The Iguig Calvary is an 11-hectare site of rolling terrain overlooking Cagayan Valley. Concrete duplicates of the 14 stations of the cross are erected here amidst ruins dating back to the Spanish era.
The "Pamalandong" (Reflections) of Palo town in Leyte is a passion play that begins at 12 noon on the grounds of Palo Cathedral. During the reading of the Seven Last Words, the crucified image of Christ is made to react to every word until his death and is removed from the cross.
Following this is a procession of all biblical characters of the play.
The "Pagtaltal" in Bacolod City starts with a "cenaculo," where the Way of the Cross is staged along the major streets. The crucifixion is then held at the reclamation area.
A procession follows where family-owned carrozas bedecked with life-sized statues, flowers and lights complete the evening.
In Guimaras Island, the ritual is climaxed by a visit to Balaan Bukid, known as the Holy Mountain, the site of a chapel and a huge cross which is a famous pilgrimage shrine among local and foreign tourists.
In Marinduque province, the 14 stations of the cross is re-enacted from dawn until 12 noon in Boac town. At midday, a man is crucified on a hill with a choir chanting in the background.
In the "Salubong" ritual in Angono, Rizal, the lifting of the veil is made easier by a young girl inside an inverted giant paper flower suspended from a bamboo trellis.
Toy birds mechanically open the petals to reveal the girl inside. Religious dancing and festivities then follow.
In Batac, Ilocos Sur, the rites begin at sunrise. Three tiers of angels sing while a lone angel, a young girl, sprinkles petals on the veils as she is lowered from a giant paper flower.
The sprinkled petals are diligently gathered by the townsfolk for their private altars, believing that these will bring good health and blessing to their households.
