The tradition of pasyon singing has deep roots in Philippine culture and history. It dates back to the Spanish colonial period when Catholicism was introduced to the Philippines. Spanish missionaries used pasyon as a means to spread the teachings and stories of the Bible to the indigenous population. The pasyon became popular among Filipino communities and eventually evolved into a distinct form of folk music.
Pasyon is characterized by its lengthy narrative, which can last for several hours or even days. The song is typically sung by a group of people, often led by a skilled singer or "mambabasa" (reader). The lyrics are usually in poetic form and are accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as the guitarra (guitar), banduria (a pear-shaped lute), and octavina (a small guitar).
The pasyon narra