Yearly P’panga crucifixion rites set in San Fernando

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – In line with the city government’s priority agenda on the preservation and promotion of San Fernando’s rich heritage and culture, City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez issued EO No. CMO 2008-002 creating the 2008 Maleldo Working Committee to prepare for the crucifixion rites in three barangays of this city during the upcoming Holy Week.

The executive committee is composed of the mayor as honorary chairperson; Councilor Jimmy Lazatin as chairperson with barangay captains Remigio dela Cruz (San Pedro), Benerito Aldana (Santa Lucia) and Allan David (San Juan) as co-chairpersons; Charles Henry Espiritu, secretary; Luningning Llanto, treasurer and Gemma Doble, assistant treasurer; Maria Gisel Rivera, auditor; Ching Pangilinan, PRO. Other members of the committee include Allan Navarro, Dr. Eloisa Aquino, Engr. Fiorello Gopez, Engr. Michael Quizon, fire marshall Jonas Silvano, Superintendent Renato Soria, Celso Bata, Renato Ong, Leonor Esguerra, Dexter Dancel and Alejandro Ariem. The City Tourism Office is the designated secretariat for the event.

The annual Crucifixion Rites in San Pedro Cutud every Good Friday (March 21 this year) is one of the most important cultural and socio-religious events in the city that showcases the unique Kapampangan traditions. The crucifixion rite is also being re-enacted in two adjacent barangays – Sta. Lucia and San Juan, with their own version of the passion and death of Christ entitled Lasa ning Guinu.

Maleldo (or the Holy Days) is also observed by the international community for its unique way of commemorating Jesus’ Passion and Death on the Cross. It includes the full re-enactment of the Way of the Cross through the street play Via Crusis and the sorrowful crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Via Crucis was written by Ricardo Navarro, a local Fernandino writer.

First performed 52 years ago by local volunteer artists, Via Crucis became a notable event for San Pedro Cutud. It was in 1962 when Artemio Añoza of Apalit, Pampanga volunteered to be nailed on a wooden cross to gain divine approval for his dream to become a good religious leader and full-fledged faith healer. This supreme act of volunteerism paved the way for the crucifixion to take place every year with many penitents participating as their panata (vow) of sacrifice.