“Mandurugo” shows bamboo whip. Photo by Ernie Esconde
SAMAL, Bataan – Holy Week penitents here on Wednesday welcomed the temporary ban on their activities but felt sad that it is for the second straight year this Lenten season.
Lenten activities common in this town and awaited by many during the Holy Week will be out of the agricultural town’s landscape for the second time because of the pandemic brought about by the dreaded coronavirus disease.
“Siyempre hindi naman mapipigilan malungkot kaso pandemic kaya wala kaming magagawa,” Jonady de Guzman, 21, and Marcos Angel, 40, both of Barangay Sapa in Samal, answered when asked how they felt about the ban.
Jonady has been a participant in the Cenakulo for 10 years but played the role of Magdalena for five years. Her father, Andy de Guzman, is the present director and president and has played many roles in the cenakulo that has been in existence for many years.
Jonady said they have kept their costumes in a closet and raring to join the group once given the signal. She said she keeps in contact with the group through social media.
Angel has been a flagellant, a mandurugo, for 14 years with the vow to complete the penance for 16 straight years. As a mandurugo, he uses bamboo slats to strike his bloodied back. His wish for his penance is for his children to have good life.
He said that because he was not able to perform the flagellation last year and again this year, he has to go back to square one.
“Magba-back to zero ulit ng taon ng aking pagpipinetensiya dahil dalawang taong pagkakahinto gawa ng pandemic. Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang pagmandurugo kaya magsisimula ulit ako na mabuno ang 16 years,” Angel said.
“Sumunod tayo kay mayor dahil para naman ito sa ating kabutihan. Wala tayong magagawa dahil ganoon talaga ang sitwasyon,” Angel told his companions.
The temporary prohibition on the holding of Lenten activities was based on Executive Order No. 42 issued by Mayor Aida Macalinao.
The mayor said she has issued the EO where the holding of pabasa, construction of kalbaryo, cenakulo and pinetensiya like manggagapang, mandurugo, carrying of cross are temporarily banned.
Processions and other activities like visita iglesia are also prohibited.
Religious gatherings such as Holy Mass and similar activities held inside the church are allowed but with only 30 percent of the seating capacity filled and provided that strict health protocols like wearing of face masks and face shield with social distancing and hand–sanitizing are followed.
Macalinao also imposed curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. in all 14 barangays, except for essential travels.
A 24-hour curfew is set for minors aged below 15 years and senior citizens from 65 years and above, except for essential travels as defined in the orders.
Liquor ban from March 24 to April 4, 2021 was also among the content of the EO.
