Stations of the Cross in Camiguin
During the Holy Week, the Panaad Festival is celebrated at Camiguin Island. Tourists all around the world flock this small island in the southern part of the Philippines to commemorate the suffering of Christ by revisiting the Stations of the Cross. The word panaad comes from the Bisayan word saad which means promise. In Tagalog, it translates as panata, i.e. a religious vow. The Panaad Festival entails walking the perimeter of Camiguin. However, there’s a new deviation to this common practice. Devotees can opt to walk (or hike) Camiguin’s Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross. The 14 Stations of the Cross can be found here.
 |
| Entrance to Stations of the Cross |
I visited Camiguin’s Stations of the Cross after the Holy Week. My friends and I hiked the walkway with a handful of people on sight. But locals claim that during the Panaad Festival, this walkway is very much crowded.
 |
| Stations of the Cross |
The concrete stairs at the entrance is quite steep. I would advise to wear comfortable shoes with good traction. As you can see, we were in slippers. We came from the hot springs and we were not fully informed by our guide on the kind of terrain we were to embark. Although the 1st part of the walkway to Camiguin’s Stations of the Cross is concrete, most parts are still rocky and soiled. Our slippers had to make extra effort for us to find our balance.
 |
| Numerous steps to take! |
I would suggest visiting the Stations of the Cross at Camiguin Island early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The heat is excruciating from 10am to about 3pm. Better apply sunblock before going up. The walkway becomes steeper as you go along so always be careful, especially on rocky parts.
 |
| Take a few moments to catch your breath.. |
When you reach the u-turn on your way up the walkway, that signifies that you’ve reach almost half of path. If going up is difficult because of the steep terrain, going down can be trickier. To go back, you have to walk the same trail. Be extra careful on your traction. It was during this time I wished I was wearing my outdoor shoes!
 |
| Half-way to the top. |
Some come to visit Camiguin’s Stations of the Cross only to observe. Some come for the journey. Others come here for fun. But for Catholic devotees, this walkway becomes a guide to remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ during Holy Week or any day of the year.
P.S. This article was originally published on November 2009 at Nail Art Designs by Simply Rins