Holy Week 2025: Museums, cultural events to visit to get in touch with your faith

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Holy Week is around the corner, and this quiet period is a reminder to everybody to get in touch with their faith, values, and beliefs.

However, reflection does not always have to happen indoors. Being surrounded by art also provides spiritual experiences, reflective periods, and self-discovery.

Here are five museums and cultural events in the country to serve as reminders of keeping the faith.

1. San Agustin Museum

The San Agustin Museum in Intramuros is home to more than 400 years of rich Philippine and religious stories of the Christianization in the country, which traces back to the 1500s when Spanish governor Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and give Augustinians arrived in the country.

The museum houses various paintings, religious statues, and other artifacts like choir books. It is also home to the tombs of Philippine heroes like Juan Luna and Maria Orosa, among others.

The San Agustin Museum holds the oldest oil on wood painting in the country, "The Seven Archangels" by Alonzo Vasquez. It was made between 1603 and 1608, and depicts St. Michael, St. Raphael, St. Gabriel, Sealthiel, Barachiel, Uriel, and Jehudiel.

The museum is located right inside the oldest stone church in the country, the San Agustin Church. The Unesco World Heritage Site is a special experience in itself, with its rich history, religious figures, and detailed ceiling paintings by Italian artists and scenographers Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella during the 19th century.

San Agustin Museum is located at General Luna Street corner Real Street, Intramuros, Manila. It is open daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance fee is P200 for regular and P160 for discounted.

2. 'Pilato'

"Pilato," is an original Filipino musical about Pontius Pilate, with dialogue and songs in Tagalog.

It is a fresh new take on the traditional senakulo. The musical is told from the point of view of Pontius Pilate, who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, even without seeing any signs of guilt.

The musical asks the question, "Ano ba ang katotohanan?"

It stars Jerome Ferguson as the titular character, Onyl Torres as Josepo, Christy Lagapa as Procla, and Noel Rayos as Hesus.

The production team is headed by Writer-Director Eldrin Veloso, Musical Director Pauline Arejola, and Composer Yanni Robeniol.

"Pilato" runs from April 4 to 13 at the PETA Theater Center at 5 Sunnyside Drive, Quezon City. Ticketing details and show schedules are up on the musical's social media pages.

3. National Museum of Fine Arts

The National Museum of Fine Arts building has an area dedicated to religious pieces.

In the Luis I Ablaza Hall, Christian-themed art from the 17th to 19th centuries are displayed. These include sculptures like wooden carved saints, carvings, and paintings of figures like the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, according to the National Museum's website.

The gallery also has an altarpiece from the Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino in Dimiao, Bohol, which is a National Cultural Treasure.

The National Museum of Fine Arts is located at P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, Manila. The National Museum of the Philippines complex is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free and walk-in visitors are allowed.

4. 'The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1' screenings

"The Chosen," the American historical drama series about the life of Jesus Christ, will premiere the first part of the "Last Supper" in Philippine cinemas. It will have a limited screening from April 10 to 13.

"Last Supper" is the fifth season of "The Chosen" and will be screened in three parts.

"The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1" starts with Jesus traveling to Jerusalem and seeing his father's house turned into a corrupt market. It also presents the events leading up to Palm Sunday.

"The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1" airs in Philippine cinemas from April 10 to 13. Ticketing details and the full list of cinemas are up on The Chosen Philippines' Instagram page.

5. Museo De Intramuros

The Museo De Intramuros is located in the reconstructed San Ignacio Church and the Mission House of the Society of Jesus. It houses religious art and artifacts from the Philippines' rich history.

The entire exhibit is titled Imagenes/Indigena: The Indio Response to Evangelization, and has six sections: The Immaculate Conception, The Religious Orders, The Patronato Real and Church Building, Larawan: Religious Colonial Paintings, Sacramento: The Centrality of the Main Altar, and The Indio Response.

The museum features images or large-scale sculptures of saints and word carvings of historical moments, such as Santa Rita's vision of when Jesus Christ appeared to her. It also features interpretations of heaven and hell, and devotional paintings of the Stations of the Cross, among many others.

Museo de Intramuros is located at Arzobispo Street corner Anda, Intramuros, Manila. It is closed on Mondays and is open by appointment from Tuesdays to Fridays. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance is at P75 for regular and P50 for discounted. —MGP, GMA Integrated News