Even in today’s age, dominated by modern trends, the youth of Angono, Rizal continue to honor and keep alive the age-old Holy Week traditions handed down by the older generation through their active participation.

The youth widely participated in the town’s Holy Week traditions, such as the “senakulo,” a stage play reenacting the major events in Jesus’ life; the “pabasa,” the chanting of the “Pasyong Mahal,” the Filipino narrative poems on Christ’s life, passion, death, and resurrection; and the procession of religious images, making these traditions come alive.

In the town’s streets, several groups of local actors and actresses, known as “senakulista,” joined the Lenten parade, “Ang Paghahatol,” not only to showcase their acting skills but also to continue the Lenten tradition passed down to them by the older generation, including some of their parents and grandparents.

The office of Mayor Gerardo Calderon said it has been 49 years that the “senakulo” was first held, with performers staying in character as they portrayed their respective roles in scenes depicting the passion of Christ on the streets.

The Tourism Office of the municipal government said the groups that participated in the Lenten parade on Holy Thursday included: Ang Nuno Production, composed of Angono residents, including several kids and teenagers; Higante Carriers, who performed the Pagpapakasakit Ni Cristo (Passion of Christ); Taytay Senakulo Group; One Dream, One Music; Rico Hermoso; San Isidro Zumba; Villa Angelina and Herald Ville; Samahang Sacramento; Mahabang Parang Zumba; Busilak; San Vicente Residents; Botong Youth; Cainta Senakulo Group; and the Angono Concert Band and El Nuno Band.

Residents, mostly youth, lined up on the sidewalk to watch the senakulo street play.

Tracy Pascual of the mayor’s office told the Manila Bulletin that this year’s Lenten parade was part of the municipal government’s tourism programs, aimed at boosting tourism in the Art Capital even during Lent to encourage the participation of the younger generation.

Processions, including the Holy Wednesday parade of antique religious images owned by families in Angono, were also dominated by the younger generation, each taking part in the Holy Week traditions.

Teenagers also participated in the pabasa on one of the town’s streets, chanting the lines of the Pasyon over a microphone in the traditional way.

The municipal government hopes that the age-old Lent traditions passed down by grandparents will continue beyond this new generation of children, as these practices have shaped the faith of the older generation.