For their "panata" and their role in preserving the tradition of Maleldo (Holy Week) in the City of San Fernando, Mayor Vilma Caluag expressed her desire to recognize penitents who play the role of Christ in the reenactment of the annual Via Crucis, which is now on its 70th year.
During the Maleldo 2025 press conference at Heroes on Monday, the mayor said that she wants the penitents, who are "crucified" and nailed to the cross every Good Friday, cited for carrying on the tradition observed by locals here.
"I am amazed at what you do and your panata, a tradition you continue from those before you keep the vow. Para sa akin, mabigat iyang ginagawa ninyo. Ako nga, karayom lang, takot na ako. What more iyung pinapako pa? Meron talagang believer like you. Kaya marapat lamang na parangalan kayo," she said.
Caluag asked the City Tourism Office headed by Ching Pangilinan, to look into a way of thanking them for bravely playing the role of "kristo" for many years to sustain the Lenten traditions that started in San Fernando.
For this year's observance, the main "kristos" are 65-year old Ruben Enaje of Barangay San Pedro, Wilfredo Salvador, 68, of Barangay San Juan, and Fernando Mamangun, 54, of Barangay Sta. Lucia.
Enaje, who will be nailed to the cross for the 36th time, Salvador for the 16th time and Mamangun for the 28th time, share a common reason for their Lenten vows: thanksgiving for their overcoming challenges.
Enaje, a painter, started his role as Christ in the real crucifixion in 1986 after surviving a fall from a three-story building in 1985. For nine years after, his panata was for the healing of his wife, and another nine years dedicated for the healing of his daughter. His vow was cut during the Covid-19 pandemic, which also claimed another pioneering "kristo" in Bob Velez, then 72 years old.
Salvador, meanwhile, said that he was bedridden for three years, leading him to his vow that he promised to fulfill "until his last breath," despite his age and occasional illnesses.
Records from the City Tourism office show that since its inception, Maleldo has seen several "kristos," among them Danilo Ramos, 54, played the role for 31years in Barangay Santa Lucia; Joselito Capili, 60, 19 years of being nailed to the cross in San Pedro Cutud; Orlando Gozon, 44, six years; Ramos Menuillo, 49, 22 years in the reenactment; and Arnold Maniago, 46, 23 years as Christ in the Via Crucis; and Crisanto Ramos, 51, and Ubardo Yumang, 43, from Barangay Del Pilar both with panata for the good health of their families.