“Sayos” women shrouded in black robes and bearing a stick crucifix, march on the Santo Entierro procession on Good Friday in Buhi, Camarines Sur.

An old Lenten tradition mostly seen in the Bicol Region, the sayos depict the weeping women of Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s crucifixion.

As a Good Friday penitence, sayos will take the lengthy “pasos” or procession of the saints–all 35 carrozas–around the town. A serious quest for the not so young. 

Of the most senior among the women is Salvacion San Roque, 82. Sayos since 1976. Today, she is to walk assisted by a female relative.

Sayos, however, is a dying religious custom. This is attributable to the diminishing or aging community of devotees, an uninvolved younger generation, and other modern influences.

“Nagsisitandaan na kasi. Yung iba mga nangamatay na,” says Lolita Arcilla, 75, another old-timer.

Members as of today have dwindled down to 36. Arcilla adds they will press on with the tradition until they can go no further.