Lenten exhibit in Carmona inspires hope amid trying times
At A Glance
- The annual exhibit is a community effort that brings residents and visitors together in faith and reflection.
CARMONA CITY, Cavite – A Lenten exhibit at the Hon. Marciano Mapanoo Park is drawing visitors, offering a space for reflection and hope amid trying times.
The Cordero: 11th Lenten Exhibit, which was opened to the public on March 22, features 41 religious statues arranged in various scenes related to the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The exhibit was organized by the Saint Joseph Parish Church and the Cofradia de los Camareros de Carmona, with the support of the Carmona City local government unit (LGU).
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin on Thursday, March 26, City Information, Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (CITCAO) Head Jose Paolo D. Diaz said the annual exhibit is a community effort that brings residents together in faith and reflection.
The saints on display are owned and maintained by local families, traditionally brought out for processions during Holy Week.
“Merong ang tawag sa kanila ay mga camarero, 'yung mga pamilya na nag-aalaga ng mga poon na 'to (We have what we call camareros, families who take care of these saints),” Diaz said.
In her message in the exhibit's souvenir booklet, Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola said she hopes the project will help strengthen every visitor's faith. The local chief executive is also a camarero, with her family serving as caretakers of Nuestra Señora de la Alegria.
Cofradia de los Camareros de Carmona coordinator Dindo T. Diago, meanwhile, said the project has been realized through the cooperation of the parish church and the local government, serving as a testament to everyone’s unity as a community of God.
Since it began 11 years ago, many residents have pitched in to support the annual Lenten exhibit.
“Maraming pamilya ‘yung naging interesado, 'Ano pa po 'yung kulang dito? Ano pa 'yung pwedeng idagdag?’ Kaya tuloy, mabubuo na 'yung last supper na 12. Dati dalawa, tatlo lang. Lahat 'yan, iba-ibang pamilya (Many families became interested and started asking, ‘What else is missing? What else can be added?’ That is why we are about to complete the 12 figures of the last supper. Before, there were only two or three. All of them come from different families),” Diaz said.
Amid the state of national energy emergency, the organizers have taken a more conscious approach to energy consumption and operational costs.
The decorative plants, for instance, were lent to the exhibit by the City Agriculture Office.
The Office of the City Engineer, meanwhile, ensured the use of low-energy-consuming LED lights. The park’s LED screen, used in previous years, was not used this year to save energy.
The Lenten display shows that quiet reflection does not need extravagance; only a moment to pause and look within.
“The exhibit here is a visual representation na sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na dumadaan sa ating mga Pilipino, manumbalik tayo sa pagdarasal, pagninilay at makita natin yung buhay ni Hesus, 'yung Kanyang humble life… Manatiling kumapit sa Diyos sa gitna ng mga pagsubok at 'wag basta magi-give up (The exhibit is a visual representation that despite the challenges faced by Filipinos, we are called to return to prayer and reflection, and to look at the life of Jesus, His humble life. We must continue to hold on to God amid trials and not easily give up).” Diaz said.
