‘Cenaculo’ cancelled again in Bataan this year

ABUCAY, Bataan – The prevailing quarantine has again led to the cancellation of this year’s “cenaculo” (or sinakulo), the Lenten Passion Plays depicting the life of Jesus Christ until his crucifixion that are staged in Barangay (village) Mabatang here, as well as other towns like Samal.

Bataan “cenaculos” used to draw thousands of spectators from Central Luzon, and have attracted foreign tourists who document this religious custom.

Barangay Calguiman in Samal began staging “cenaculos” in 1947.

Abucay Councilor Jay Sacdalan had been playing the role of Jesus Christ for 12 years until the coronavirus disease triggered the global pandemic last year.

Like the 2020 “cenaculo,” this year’s Passion Play cannot run because of restrictions against mass gatherings.

The plays are held during Holy Week, which falls this year on March 29 to April 4.

“Sa totoo lang hindi pa ako konsehal gumaganap na ako bilang Hesucristo sa cenaculo (I have been playing the role of Jesus Christ before I became a municipal councilor),” Sacdalan said.

Sacdalan and about 100 participants in the religious play had not been together for almost two years because of the pandemic. “But we try to see each other once in a while to sustain the camaraderie,” the councilor said.

In 2015, Sacdalan intended to fly to Japan and work for a construction firm until a friend asked him to join politics.