The Sariaya Tourism Council (STC) launched its Lenten production “SANTO KRISTO: ISANG SENAKULO” via a small gathering at the Dona Concha Subdivision residence of STC Treasurer Ma. Teresa Cuello-Baligod on the evening of February , 2008. Present on the occasion were the members of the STC Dramatic Guild and five new recruits from the St. Francis High School, as well as Senakulo Director Mr. Federico Ceribo, Sariaya Institute Teacher Ms. Jenny Salumbides, Designer Christopher Quejano, Make up artist Janice Martinez, together with STC representatives Brgy. 6 Councilor JR de Gracia, Mrs. Baligod herself and Mr. Eric J. Dedace. They talked about the necessary preparations for the forthcoming street play to be staged in selected town thoroughfares on Holy Wednesday, March 19, 2008, a regular feature of the Sariaya Lenten season scene ever since it started in 2006.

In reality, the preparations started even earlier, in the afternoon of January 11, 2008, when Mrs. Baligod, Mr. Dedace, Mr. Quejano and his assistant drove for the Cuello Family Compound at Sitio Loob, Barangay Bignay I, where the Senakulo costumes are being kept. They did an inventory and sorted out which of them need to be repaired and altered to suit the production requirements. These costumes were then brought to the Quejano Boutique for the purpose.

The next morning, January 12, a Sunday, Sir “Fidi” and Mr. Dedace did an ocular inspection of the street play route, with due respect to accommodate the requests by some town mates that the “way of the Santo Kristo: Isang Senakulo” be altered this year. Then they went to Ms. Baligod’s for further discussions on the matter. On Wednesday night, January 23, 2008, the STC had a dinner meeting at the St. Ferdinand Convent in Lucena City hosted by STC president Rev. Fr. Andrew S. Hernandez, and discussed other pertinent matters related to the Lenten production. Together with Fr. Andrew, the rest of the group included Sariaya Tourism Officer – designate Ms. Maria Arlene C. Palabrica, Mr. Sammy de Jesus, Mr. Bernie C. Cadorna, Mr. Rik M. Sumague, Mrs. Baligod and Mr. Dedace.

Whatever, the February 1 meeting, which has been postponed twice due to bad weather, was a great pep up for the production team and even more so on the part of the young performers, who exhibited willingness and excitement, in anticipation of becoming part of this emerging Sariayahin Lenten tradition once again, that has gained a wide and enthusiastic following for the past two years. The five male students from SFHS were welcomed and given an impromptu orientation care of viewing a photo album of the 2007 production, just as they were likewise challenged to give their very best to become active members of the STC Dramatic Guild. A simple yet hearty and deliciously hot Pancit Meke – Sotanghon, loaf bread and choco nutty spread were served for the purpose.

Everybody was encouraged to spread the word about the forthcoming Lenten production to other STC DG members, as well as to other prospective talents, to fill up the cast just in time for the next meeting to be held at the Sariaya Sports Complex on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at nine o’clock in the morning. The much awaited tradition of an overnight Acting and Drama Workshop was set for February 29 – March 1, to be held at the Cuello Family Compound in Sitio Loob, Barangay Bignay I. Talk about the Senakulo - emblazoned T shirt tokens like the ones given for the 2007 production plus an overnight picnic at the Villa del Prado Beach resort reminiscent of the very first Senakulo outing of 2006 provoked much excitement for the predominantly youthful crowd. With that, the meeting adjourned on a very highly spirited note and everybody headed for home.