‘Balaan Bukid’ reopens for Holy Week but limited to Guimarasnons only

After being postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid” or reenactment of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Brgy. Balcon Melliza, Jordan, Guimaras will finally reopen this Holy Week, but it will be limited to Guimarasnons only.

Jordan Mayor Roben Corpuz issued Executive Order (EO) No. 15 on March 5, 2022 imposing guidelines on the reopening of Balaan Bukid.

“Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid has been postponed for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily closing the Balaan Bukid during the Lenten Season thus, pilgrims have been preparing for its reopening,” the executive order reads.

Under the EO, the Balaan Bukid shall only be open to all residents of the province of Guimaras. Residents from neighboring provinces, tourists and pilgrims from outside of the province will not be allowed to enter.

“The COVID-19 Task Force together with Brgy. Hoskyn Tanods, PNP, BFP, Navy Reserve, Army Reserve, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council and the Municipal Tourism Council shall be in charge of the crowd control and imposition of minimum health standards,” the EO said.

The EO shall be effective from April 11 to April 17, 2022.

Recently, Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin issued Executive Order No. 15 placing the island under Alert Level 1.

The EO still prohibits unvaccinated individuals from entering or exiting Guimaras except for medical reasons and highly essential purposes.

Unvaccinated individuals are required to present a negative RT-PCR result taken three days before the date of travel.

Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid is a famous Holy Week tradition in Guimaras which features a procession and a Lenten Play telling the story of the passion and death of Christ.

The tradition which started in 1975 has become a tourism event in Jordan, Guimaras and has earned a lot of following attracting devotees and tourists from all over the country.  (DG)