ANGELES CITY -- The local government here through the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) has scheduled activities in observance of the Lenten Season this year in partnership with the socio-civic community, various performing arts groups and the religious sector.
Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan emphasized the importance of celebrating the religious traditions despite the city’s fast-paced growth and innovation.
"As a modernized community, it can be quite a challenge to instill old practices and traditions to the new generation. However, we find that it is crucial for us to preserve our intangible heritage and we can uphold this by promoting activities of the observation of the Lenten season," said Pamintuan.
"I am glad that these activities still hold significance deep in the hearts of the Angeleños," the mayor added.
Starting off this year's Lenten observance is Sinukwan Kapampangan's "Panata at Panalangin: A Spiritual Journey through Culture and the Arts", depicting the religious practices of the Kapampangan region, in the form of mixed-media art exhibit and dance performances.
Now on its fifth year, the presentation will be staged on March 21 and 26 at MarQuee Park under the artistic direction of Peter de Vera.
Teatro Angeleño will be presenting A Timeless and Contemporary Staging of the Passion of the Christ with a theme “Sa Kanyang Mga Sugat” at the Arts and Garden Museum on March 21, 22, 25 and 26 and at the Estacion de Angeles on March 23 and 24 at 6 o’clock in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Sinukwan Kapampangan will be performing the Ritwal ng Banal na Palaspas: Isang Sipi mula sa Panata at Panalangin on March 22, 8:00 pm at the Plaza Angel.
On March 22 to 23 and 27 to 31, Lino Dizon will be giving a lecture on the assessment on the art of Chanting and Pamagdarame at the Museum of Philippine Social History.
Sinukwan Kapampangan will then be performing a dance-drama on the Martyrdom of the First Filipino Saint, Lorenzo Ruiz on March 23 at 6:30 pm in front of Holy Rosary Parish Church (HRPC).
Also on the 23rd, Barangay Tabun’s annual community-wide gathering through “Apunan ning Pamisanmetung” will take place at 7 p.m.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Bisita Iglesia: Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament are set to happen on March 24 at the Holy Rosary Parish Church.
Jesus’ sacrifices and martyrdom will be witnessed again as Lourdes Northwest Barangay Council stage a two-part theatrical re-enactment of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ with “Siete Palabras” (The Seven Last Words) on March 24 and 25.
As a way of honoring the Holy Cross where Jesus was crucified, Angeleños are set to witness the solemn Veneration of the Cross and the Good Friday Procession on March 25 at the HRPC.
The city’s weeklong Lenten observance will culminate with the HRPC’s Easter Vigil, Easter Procession and the traditional “Salubong” which marks Christ’s resurrection and His symbolic reunion with the Blessed Virgin Mary. The procession is set to happen on March 26 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
For more information, contact 0977-377-1585 or visit ACTO’s Facebook page at fb.com/AngelesCityTourismOffice. (AC-CIO)