BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the municipal government of Abucay, staged a faith-based cultural activity in Bataan on March 31 to promote community engagement, cultural preservation, and faith tourism during the Lenten season.
Dubbed “SAGRADA: A Spiritual Journey through the Arts,” the activity was held in front of the St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church in Abucay, following its first presentation on March 30 at the Sta. Catarina de Alexandria Parish Church in Porac, Pampanga.
SAGRADA featured a solemn reenactment of the Stations of the Cross presented by Sinukwan Kapampangan Performing Arts.
DOT Regional Director Richard Daenos said the initiative aimed to highlight the message of Christ’s redemption while encouraging reflection, forgiveness, and renewed hope among participants.
“Ang dulang sayaw na ito ay nagsisilbing isang makabuluhang paglalarawan ng kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay ni Kristo na sumasagisag sa isang walang kupas at nagbabagong mensahe ng pag-asa (This dance-drama serves as a meaningful depiction of the death and resurrection of Christ, symbolizing an enduring and ever-renewing message of hope),” Daenos said.
The event also brought together representatives from the church, the local government, and the provincial, municipal, and regional tourism offices, who participated by lighting candles at each station as symbols of hope, prayer, and solidarity.
Each station presented not only the passion of Christ but also reflections on relevant global issues, including corruption, poverty, peace, social solidarity, and others.
According to DOT, the initiative forms part of efforts to promote Lenten activities in Central Luzon, particularly in Bataan and Pampanga, while encouraging communities and visitors to appreciate the region’s faith traditions as part of its cultural identity.
The staging of SAGRADA in Pampanga and Bataan further highlighted the role of local communities in preserving religious and cultural traditions, contributing to the growth of faith tourism in the region and reinforcing DOT’s commitment to promoting culturally rooted, values-oriented tourism nationwide.
