‘SENAKULO’. Actors reenact the passion of Jesus Christ in Marinduque province's capital town of Boac on April 5, 2023 as part of the celebration of the Moriones Festival. A similar presentation was staged by a group of inclusivity advocates at the Oriental Mindoro National High School gymnasium on Wednesday (March 27, 2024). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – A group of inclusivity advocates based in this province on Wednesday staged an “interactive” play that sought to give the audience a truly immersive experience on the passion of Jesus Christ.
The group dubbed Volunteer Artists of Oriental Mindoro, which calls for equality with regard to social rights, staged a free community-theater musical play titled “Pater Dimitti Illis” (Father, forgive them) or Pasyon de Kristo 2024 (Passion of Christ) at the Oriental Mindoro National High School gymnasium.
Popularly known as “senakulo”, this centuries-old Filipino tradition dramatizes the life and passion of Jesus Christ and invites the faithful to reflect on their lives.
Chavit Zulueta, creative director of the play, said their Senakulo can be considered a gesture of faith because nobody got paid for their participation, not even the professional artists.
Designed as an interactive presentation, actors directly engaged the audience during certain portions of the play— and even gave out snacks during the multiplication of bread reenactment.
Actors from all over the province and elsewhere in the country were not turned away and were given roles in the play, even first-timers.
Some 120 volunteer-actors aged between nine and 78 years old were cast to play various roles, Zulueta said.
Initiated by the Oriental Mindoro Butterfly Society, Inc., the play was produced with first district Rep. Arnan Panaligan and Father Nestor Adalia, rector of the Sto. Nino Cathedral of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan.
The shorter 2 p.m. matinee covered only the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, and had an audience consisting mostly of students.
Meanwhile, a longer 7 p.m. encore was scheduled to include a prologue, the Passion of Christ until Resurrection, and had a mixed audience of young and old residents from all walks of life coming from different parts of Calapan and Oriental Mindoro.
Ayyi Gardiola, community development professional and cultural worker, lauded the people behind the play: “Thank you for this love-offering of everyone involved in this Senakulo. Volunteers truly are the lifeblood of the community.”
The play will also be broadcast and replayed on Calapan Cable Community Channel 9. (PNA)
