PASSION PLAY. The reenactment of Jesus Christ's passion and death in Palo, Leyte. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo said it's all set for the reenactment to be held on Good Friday (April 7, 2023). (Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY – It’s all set for the annual staging of “Tanggal,” a local version of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday in Palo, Leyte, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo said.
The one-hour live reenactment of Jesus Christ's Way of the Cross will be performed by volunteer local artists in Palo town along major road from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Participants underwent recollection to spiritually prepare them for the role they would be playing, according to Msgr. Gilbert Urbina of the Archdiocese of Palo in an interview Wednesday.
Hundreds of spectators not only from Palo town but also from its neighboring towns are expected to watch the annual presentation.
The “Tanggal” tradition in the municipality dates back to 1974 with a script written by the late Msgr. Ben Sabillo.
The person who will be portraying the role of Jesus Christ is a seminarian from the St John the Baptist School of Theology. He will not be nailed to the cross during the play. Up for display, instead is a life-size image of Christ on the cross.
Part of the presentation is the “penitentes,” the oldest Holy Week tradition in Palo. Also called “tais-dupol,” they are a penitential fraternity of cassocked, barefoot and hooded members organized by Fray Pantaleon de le Fuente in 1984 supposedly to replace the flagellants and fanatics who whipped themselves or have themselves whipped to atone for wrongdoings.
Penitents who wear “tais” or pointed hoods are married men and “dupol” (not pointed) are single men.
Following the reenactment is the Seven Last Words, a meditation by reading and reflecting on the last words of Jesus Christ from the cross.
These seven last words will be read and explained by priests.
The local traffic management office of the town has already issued an advisory implementing a rerouting scheme on April 7 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vehicles passing the town are advised to use the east and west bypass roads.
“People who will go to Palo on Friday are also advised to eat first, bring water and anything that could protect them from the hot rays of the sun, except an umbrella. Backpacks are also not allowed,” Urbina said.
Authorities also advised parents who will bring young children to have at least one guardian per child especially if they will be climbing the Guinhangdan Hill.
Those who will climb the Guinhangdan Hill are not allowed to light candles on their way up to the top of the hill to avoid possible bush fire.
Although more and more people prefer to spend the Holy Week by going to beaches and going on vacation, Urbina said that the country remains to be faithful to the Christian faith, unlike its Western counterparts.
“All sectors are still cooperating for the observance of the Holy Week, even our politicians because that is part of our culture,” Urbina added. (PNA)
