ANGELES CITY- The show must go on for the members of Sinukwan Kapampangan (SiKap) who were unfazed by the sudden inclement weather condition during their solemn Panata at Panalangin (PAP) performance on Palm Sunday (April 2, 2023) at MarQuee Mall.
SiKap Artistic Director Peter De Vera said that seeing the performers continue with their performance despite the heavy downpour is a powerful display of devotion and a wonderful way to mark the return of Panata at Panalangin after holding it virtually for two years during the pandemic.
“Ang natunghayan natin ay isa lamang sa napakaraming mga pagkakataon na naipakita ng ating mga miyembro ang kanilang Panata at pagmamahal sa sining,” said De Vera.
“Ito ang konsepto ng PAP ay gawing kasangkapan ang sining bilang ekspresyon ng paniniwala at debosyon habang napagyayabong at naipapakita ang mayamang kultura ng ating probinsya tuwing Mahal na Araw,” he furthered.
The 50-minute dance drama depicts the cultural practices and traditions of the Kapampangans during Holy Week. The performance starts with dance interpretations of Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, the Suffering and Crucifixion of Christ, and ends with the glorious celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection and the Salubong.
The performers are all clad in costumes inspired by flagellants with covered faces, dancing through a fusion of original musical arrangements by multi-awarded Kapampangan composer Jake Abella.
“Kami ay inulan din noong unang Panata at Panalangin dito sa MarQuee Mall. Gaya ng nasaksihan natin ngayon, nagpatuloy rin ang mga performers noon hanggang matapos ang produksyon. Magmula noon, imbes na katakutan ay ipinagdarasal namin na kami ay ulanin dahil itinuturing namin itong blessing mula sa itaas,” De Vera said.
Spectators offered their loud cheers and applause to the performers during the end of the Lenten production making it one of the most special editions of the production to date, according to De Vera.
Meanwhile, the remaining schedules for PAP include April 3 (Holy Monday) at San Bartolome Parish Church in Magalang town, April 4 (Holy Tuesday) at the Clark Museum and 4D Theater Parking Area, and April 8 (Black Saturday) at the MarQuee Mall open grounds.
PAP’s 12th edition was made possible through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Hausland Development Corporation, Fiesta Communities, Ayala MarQuee Mall, Local Governments of Angeles and Magalang, HAU Batch 78 ‘The Saints’, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Apung Mamacalulu, and San Bartolome Parish Church.
Also gracing the occasion are Kuliat Foundation Incorporated (KFI) President Lincoln Baluyut, Leigh Jocson of Jocson College, Angeles City Tourism Officer Anneleen Antonio-Sigui, and guests from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
