GUAGUA Mayor Dante Torres is optimistic that this town’s one-kilometer dike area will be visited by pilgrims and locals this coming Lenten season.
This, as the area is also being promoted as a pilgrimage destination in Pampanga as the municipal government had finished the construction of life-size murals of the traditional Stations of Cross depicting the passion and death of Jesus Christ in the area located near the old Paglabuan River.
The stations can be used by Catholics for their devotional activities this Lenten season. The murals can also be used for meditation and prayers by other Christian denominations.
The area is the former site of the once strong Paglabuan River that shrunk into a meager creek after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Lahar silted and covered the once vast area of the river. It is in this area where the Guagua section of the Megadike was constructed. The “new land” that covered the area of the river is now being developed as both an artists’ haven and eco-tourism park.
Torres said that another attraction for the area is the Stations of the Cross. At the end of the stations, which would require at last a kilometer and a half walk on foot, is a large statue of Jesus Christ.
“We want that the area could cater also to people who would like to reflect. The area would be perfect to be one with nature and at the same time be one with God,” Torres said.
The Stations of the Cross were made of concrete materials and later on rendered under the encarna (painting technique to mimic flesh) process by Betis artisans.
Torres added that the area has already developed a reputation as a destination for joggers and bikers.
He added that the development of the area would be crucial for its protection as signs of lush vegetation from the wild shrubs and trees that grew through the years have already shown.