Tags: Performing Arts
By Alexander Villafania
LUCENA CITY, QUEZON – The Catholic population in the country is already preparing for the Holy Week by doing their panata (life promise), which ranges from Visita Iglesia (Church visits), fasting, completing the Rosary, and to some extent, flagellation.
But among the few entertaining aspects of the Holy Week season in the Philippines is the senakulo (Christ’s passion), a multi-act theatrical play that depicts the life of Jesus Christ within the week of his crucifixion and death. Many towns in the Philippines organize their own annual senakulo and often, these are done on stage, usually two to three hours long.
However, some of the more devoted stage actors actually split the senakulo into eight acts that are played out over eight days. The first act is played on Palm Sunday, when Christ entered Jerusalem and was greeted by people carrying palm fronds. The last act is done on Sunday wherein Christ is resurrected.
Some celebrities actually join or organize these theatrical plays. Perhaps most popular of these theater groups is the Manila Mobile Theater, a segment of the Tanghalang Sta. Ana, which has been organizing such an event for 22 years. Their version of the senakulo is called Martir sa Golgota.
The director, comedian and Manila Councilor Lou Veloso, said that unlike traditional plays about Christ, they add a bit of social commentary with their depictions, in the hopes that people would see the significance of the social values beyond the play’s entertainment.
Similarly, others can inject humor and satire into the senakulo. Take for example humorist and blogger Loi Landicho, a.k.a. the Professional Heckler, as he whipped up a piece where candidates for the upcoming elections play certain characters in the the senakulo.
Several towns have scheduled their own Holy Week activities with the senakulo as their centerpiece. For instance, Marinduque has scheduled Lenten activities that started on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. Mandaluyong City also described how it would be holding its senakulo. Meanwhile, Marikina City also gave a list of their activities.
If you can’t attend any of these events, just check out your local government activities. For certain, there’s a senakulo to be played in your neighborhood.
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