Iloilo, Guimaras gird for Holy Week activities
The city and province of Iloilo will pool their efforts as they gird for the indigenous Lenten practice as a new way of attracting tourists to visit Iloilo and the nearby province of Guimaras. Different towns in the province of Iloilo have their way of observing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
City Tourism officer Ben Jimena said the activities included in the observance of the Lenten Week will start on March 9, 2008 with the launching of Semana sang Iloilo kag Guimaras. The pilgrimage activities will last until Easter Sunday, March 23.
Jimena said the joint effort of city officials from Iloilo and Guimaras will place the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) in the tourism map. Hotels and restaurants here are willing to provide 10 to 20 percent discount on their room rates to tourists during the Lenten Week.
The activities included in the Lenten celebration are the exhibits of images, Palaspas making competition, Palapak sa Leganes, Lenten special food trip, photo exhibits of churches, Visita Iglesia, Capiya contest in Sta Barbara, Cabatuan choir competition, Resplendor of Alimodian, Good Friday procession of 36 life size images in Leganes with Dampog or the meeting of Jesus and Mother Mary before the resurrection on Easter Sunday, tours of beaches, essay writing contest and on-the-spot Lenten painting contest.
The Dampog of Leganes features angels joyously welcoming Jesus into heaven, and the Resplendor of Oton is the scourging by angels of Judas after he betrayed Jesus. There will also be an excerpt of the internationally known "Pagtaltal sang Guimaras" or Jesus Crucifixion during the opening program at SM City.
The Pagtaltal in Jordan, Guimaras has long been visited by local as well as foreign tourists. In Hiligaynon, Pagtaltal means to remove from the cross. It depicts Christ's ministry, condemnation and crucifixion portrayed by devoted casts from Guimaras. Pagtaltal stemmed from the divine passion of Aquilino Secosana. The Lenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan begins and culminates in the trek to Balaan Bukid.
The Semana sang Iloilo celebration is supported by the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Iloilo Hotel and Resort Association (IHRRA), Association of Iloilo Travel and Tour Operators (AITTO) and municipal tourism offices.