And so, the people of Sariaya welcomed the “ Messiah “ into town amid much rejoicing! They lined both sides of the street, joyfully waving their tall and artfully woven “ Palaspas “ of coconut palms, as “ He “ walked over the moving carpet of women’s shawls being laid at “ His “ feet…

The Sariaya Tourism Council, (STC), in cooperation with the Saint Francis Of Assisi Parish Church, produced the “ Santo Kristo “ Isang Senakulo, on Holy Wednesday, April 12, 2006. A first in Sariaya’s history, this street play based on the Passion of Christ, is a moving reenactment, from his joyful entry into Jerusalem, to his eventful crucifixion.

The cast, mostly made up of young students and their more senior town mates, donned costumes typical of 1st century AD Jerusalem and Rome, and winded up their way into the sloping selected streets of Sariaya. Stopping at certain locations along the way, they played-out scenes from the Bible-based script, showcasing traditional Sariayahin talent for the performing arts and the stage, infused with the evangelizing spirit of Lent.

Experience the Goosebumps of the late afternoon Hossana scene amid tall, swaying “ Palaspas “ and the high spirited chanting at Muntingbayan, Sariaya’s western end!

Feel Christ’s Agony, as he prays trancelike in the gathering darkness at “ Gethsemane “, in the columned old ruins of Gobernadorcillo “ Kapitan Roman Reynoso’s “ palatial mansion at Calle Bonifacio!

Finally, Be Moved as “ Jesus “ gasps his way into his ‘ Seven Last Words “ at the Church Patio, amid lighted torches of the condescending “ Roman soldiers “ !

“ Santo Kristo “ : Isang Senakulo, is the eventual take-off from Sariaya’s centuries-old devotion and every Friday pilgrimage to it’s famous18th century icon, the ”Santo Cristo De Burgos “, affectionately referred to as “ Ang Mahal Na Senyor “, A Gift From King Felipe V of Spain, now perpetually enshrined behind the Retablo of the 1748 church. The veneration of the crucified CHRIST replica of Burgos, Spain is in reality, one of the three Catholic devotions attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, Sariaya’s Patron Saint.

Bring The Spirit of Sariaya’s emerging Lenten tradition into your hearts Forever…