Manila: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has advised devout Catholics that there is no wrong in taking a bath on Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Christ.
"Take a bath. Not taking a bath on Good Friday is a superstitious belief which has no religious bearing," CBCP spokesman Pedro Quitorio III told Gulf News.
Despite the extreme heat during summer when Holy Week is observed, many Filipinos in the provinces still adhere to the belief that it is forbidden to take a bath after three in the afternoon during Good Friday, the time it is believed that Christ was crucified.
Filipinos do not do the laundry, do not cook, avoid cleaning their homes, and do not work on Good Friday, a tradition that has been observed for centuries.
Some believe that performing these activities after 3 in the afternoon brings bring bad luck.
