WATCH: Fiesta sa Semana Santa

MANILA, Philippines – At the Manila Cathedral and other churches across the country, the fiesta-like atmosphere of Priests’ Day breaks the somber mood of the holiest days of the Christian faith.

Priests’ Day is when clergymen renew their vows before their bishop during the Chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday. At the Manila Cathedral, parishioners – with tarpaulins, flowers, headbands, and balloons – eagerly await their priests outside the church building while drums are beating.

In this Holy Week vlog, Rappler senior multimedia reporter Paterno Esmaquel II reports on this mini-fiesta in honor of Catholic priests. While Filipinos love them, what is now the challenge for clergymen?

Rappler production specialist Ulysis Pontanares, who was shooting the event, also meets his fellow Makati parishioners in the middle of this coverage – to the delight of their parish priest, who ends with a message about using one’s talents.

Watch the vlog by clicking the video at the topmost portion of this page. – Rappler.com