Pataltal sa Guimaras - reenactment of the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the way to the Calvary
December 29, 2008 by admin
Filed under Guimaras Festival, Religious Festival
The Festival
A reenactment of the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the way to the Calvary, the Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras is a procession of devotees and flagellants garbed in biblical attire held every Good Friday in the municipality of Jordan and ends in Balaan Bukid in the island province of Guimaras, where a huge cross is earthed by the chapel overlooking the Strait of Guimaras and Iloilo City, and is also a pilgrimage site for Catholics. The event is patterned after the South Bavaria, Germanyís Oberammergau.
The portrayal is a pantomime presentation of the trials, sufferings, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ by chosen characters, usually local actors, played in the side of the hills of Teodoro, Rizal in Jordan, Guimaras.
The Seven Last Words and the Death on the Cross are the climax as the actors of about 160 members of which mostly youths reach Balaan Bukid.
Preparation for the play has been a hard work for the people involved including choosing the actors but the spirit of the people behind this big event were not discouraged and their solemn promise and loyalty to the tradition push them to make this religious activity a success. With the Cultural Center of the Philippines aiding not only the members but aspiring youths to develop their skills in acting through outreach program of workshops and training, the charisma of the play is kept year after year. The presentation has now become one of the grand events that made Guimaras well-known in the international community even before it became a full-pleged province in 1992, and now with the full support of the administration of local government officials. Not only this play aim to touch the hearts of spectators but strenghtens Christian faith.
This popular religious celebration is popular locally and attracts tourists and visitors of different nations.
Origin
It was the year of 1980 when an individual by the name of Boy Robles volunteered to direct the reenactment, rewriting the script, and provided actors who took part in the play. With the people moved by the significance in the sufferings of the Christ, it has become the drive for them making it their oath to be a part of the annual presentation. As Good Friday came, so is the birth of the Ang pagtaltal sa Jordan, which eventually renamed to Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras.
For three hours, a stage drama was held at the municipal ground moving to the hillside near Saint John the Baptist Parish Church where the crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place.
History
Formerly Ang Pagtaltal sa Jordan, the event was renamed to Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras after being adopted by the local government of Jordan and the provincial government of Guimaras in 1995. The same year of which a stage director of the University of Iloilo took charge of directing the stage play, and was held in the municipal gym of Jordan for the first time.
