Holy Week in the Philippines held in towns throughout the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and in the Ilocandia, as well as in Makati in Metro Manila. Except in the Bulakenyo towns of Baliuag and Pulilan, the Passion tableaux are excluded from the Good Friday afternoon procession. Maundy Thursday (Huwebes Santo) is the first statutory public holiday of the week, and marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the Procession of the Passion of Christ was held on Maundy Thursday. This was later transferred to Holy Wednesday for Latin Rite Catholics, with the Philippine Independent Church (which separated
Maundy Thursday and healing. In addition, the Bishop and clergy in attendance will reaffirm their Ordination Vows. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the liturgical colours are brighter, white being common. On this day alone during Holy Week, the fast is relaxed to permit consumption of wine and oil. The primary service of this day is Vespers combined with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at which is read the first Passion Gospel (), known as the "Gospel of the Testament", and many of the normal hymns of the Divine Liturgy are substituted with the following troparion: "Of Thy Mystical Supper, O