Pagtaltal sa Guimaras draws huge crowd
A scene from ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras play.
The yearly reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ held in Jordan, Guimaras drew a huge crowd last April 6, Good Friday.
Right after devotees and tourists completed the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross leading to the top of Balaan Bukid in Hoskyn, they proceeded to witness the reenactment of Christ's passion and crucifixion.
The play started at 1 p.m. at the Jordan municipal gym and ended at 2:30 p.m. with Jerry Robles, who plays Jesus Christ, being nailed at the cross at a hill situated just outside the municipal hall.
The re-enactment was attended by Mayor Felipe Nava and wife Lally, founder Aquilino Secusana, Marissa Descutido and representatives from the Iloilo City Tourism Office, Ben Jimena and Jo Agudo. Tourists from abroad and nearby provinces and local folks attended.
The reenactment was founded by Secusana or Tatay Quiling 32 years ago. Last Good Friday, he opened the doors of his home to whoever wishes to partake of lunch.
Business was brisk during Good Friday. As Balaan Bukid was teeming with tourists and devotees, those who enjoyed brisk sales were vendors of ice water, food, candles, religious items and fashionable trinkets. They all lined up along the way towards the top of the mountain.
In Jordan, vendors of ice scramble and halu-halo had their hands full. Nong Pedring, an ice scramble vendor, said that he is thankful for activities like this because his sales increased, so he can feed his family better.
After the religious and cultural experience, tourists proceeded to the province's resorts and explored its other attractions like the Higante Cave, Capitoguan Cave, Marine Reserve Station, Isla Naburot, Baras Beach Resort and the National Mango Research Development Center.
As of press time, the Guimaras government has no official record of the number of tourists that entered the province for the Holy Week.
From Iloilo alone, there was a long line of who waited for the pump boat to ferry them to Guimaras as early as 6 a.m.