By Nimfa Estrellado General Luna viewed Senakulo not just a tradition, but a craftsmanship of art and faith. An epic dramatization of the li...
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| General Luna viewed Senakulo not just a tradition, but a craftsmanship of art and faith. An epic dramatization of the life of Jesus Christ has been a commitment of “Sining Tayabasin” every year. (Photo from Mayor Matt Florido Withaheart/FACEBOOK) |
Semana Santa, Kuwaresma, Sinakulo or Holy Week, is one of the country’s most important religious holidays. It begins with the Palm Sunday celebration and lasts until Easter Sunday. The entire week of Easter is a time of repentance, fasting, and penance for the vast majority of our fellow Catholics. Lent is associated with the following important traditions: Palaspas, Pabasa, Pagdarasal ng Daan ng Krus, Via Dolorosa, Visita Iglesia, Senakulo, Penitensiya, Seven Last Words, and Salubong sa Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, or Easter Sunday.
These traditions add color and life to commemorating Jesus’ final days before his death on the cross and until his resurrection.
It exemplifies some aspects of Filipino culture and creativity. During Holy Week, it has become a tradition in the Philippines for people to proudly display their spiritual veneration and ceremonies. The entire week is usually filled with altar displays, processions, and passion plays.
People in Quezon Province, on the whole, have their own ways of observing Holy Week and re-enacting Christ’s Passion or “Sinakulo” in their own interpretation, making Quezon Province one of the must-visit places to witness such events.
The Senakulo, also known as the Passion Play, is a play that depicts the life of Jesus Christ, including his suffering, death, and resurrection after three days in the tomb. Members of certain Christian denominations, most notably Catholics, observe it during Holy Week.
These are Jesus’ spiritual, physical, and mental anguishes prior to and during his trial and crucifixion. Throughout the ceremonies, brilliant and detailed presentations can be seen. Because the earliest dances and Aztec colors are included in these sacred celebrations, a mixture of Catholic and pre-Hispanic values is observed.
Sinakulo in Quezon Province normally stages the event of the grand entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem. Then, during Holy Thursday, they go and see seven churches in order to observe the Last Supper.
In a number of cities, processions can also be seen. While on parade, folks have candles with them and passionately walk together with floats that show the events from the Passion. Other people who are repenting are even dressed in hoods while they are walking in the procession. People in Quezon Province commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday.
On Easter Sunday, the entire province of Quezon celebrates. People usually just enjoy themselves and celebrate during the cultural presentations, music, and dance. People stage the resurrection in a number of cities by reenacting Jesus’ victory over death.
In General Luna, they viewed Sinakulo not just a tradition, but a craftsmanship of art and faith. An epic dramatization of the life of Jesus Christ has been a commitment of “The Bahay na Kubol Festival” every year.
The Buhay na Kubol Festival is a significant event for the locals, as it is a way to showcase their faith and devotion. The festival features various activities such as street dancing, processions, and other religious rituals.
In an interview that took place on Thursday, Florido stated that among the events that they have planned as a part of the festival are portrayals of the life and death of Jesus Christ by local artists.
He explained that the word “kubol” refers to a hut, of which several will be constructed in order to symbolize the 14 stations of the cross. Artists will perform scenes from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ at each of the kubols, also known as stations.
According to Florido, during the “Istasyon Heneral” that will take place on Holy Wednesday, the actors will only stand like statues in the kubol. On Good Friday, they will only move during the “Prusisyon Heneral,” which is a procession, and afterward, in each of the huts, they will act out different parts of Jesus’ life while he was on earth.
The mayor also mentioned that on Good Friday, spectators will have the opportunity to see the “penitensya,” which will consist of men parading through the streets while flogging themselves as an apparent form of penance for their sins, as well as the “Centurion Festival,” which will feature participants dressed as Roman soldiers.
On the other hand, Tayabas uses their performances to demonstrate to the audience and to bring to mind the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to atone for the sins of the world. On the other hand, Tayabas uses their performances to demonstrate to the audience and to bring to mind the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to atone for the sins committed by humanity.
Through the use of the Sinakulo, many people were able to see the soldiers whipping Jesus. Putting on a cloak, placing a crown of thorns on his head, making fun of him, and referring to him as the king of the Jews were some of the things that were done.
In addition to this, it depicts Jesus Christ carrying his own cross, nailing his hands and feet to the cross, and then erecting the cross with the crucifixion of two additional male thieves. Lastly, it shows Jesus Christ looking down at the two men who were crucified with him.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was also seen at the foot of the cross.
These are just a few components of the “Sinakulo”, also known as the dramatization, that the actors perform during the Susi ng Tayabas Every Holy Week event, which takes place once a year in Tayabas City.
It is foreseen that there will be an even greater number of passengers tonight or tomorrow, despite the fact that the current count of vacationers who will travel by boat to Marinduque and Romblon is already quite high.
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