Guimaras towns’ ‘Worship Festival’ to highlight unity of Christians

By John Noel E. Herrera 

The 10th Worship Festival of Buenavista town in Guimaras during the Holy Week will highlight the unity among Christian believers in the province as respective religious groups prepared different sets of activities for residents and visitors to experience from April 2 to 9, 2023.

“So tuod-tuod gid ni nga tema nga ‘Unity in Diversity’ kay ti sa kadamu-on sang secta, pero ga-unite sila para makaselebrar kag makapamalandong ang tanan according sa mga practices nila mismo nga wala conflict, everybody towards the same direction,” Atty. Helen Catalbas, liaison officer of the Office of the Governor, said in a press conference on March 20, 2023.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Buenavista said the purpose of the festival is to create a harmonious working relationship between religious groups in promoting the religious activities of the town through re-enactment and live musical presentations and to “come up with a unified action in promoting religious tourism through stage presentations and religious sites.”

“The celebration would bring a deepened understanding of the word of God which will translate to a holistic development of every person in the town and a guide for efficient and effective governance,” Buenavista LGU added in a statement.

The celebration would boost the tourism industry in the town as many devotees are expected to come and experience the festival, according to Catalbas, who is a former regional director of the Department of Tourism.

“Isa man na di ang tourism kay ang Semana Santa naton di gina-buylugan gid sang tanan, ti daan nga subong any event is a tourism event, kay may movement of people. Nagasaylo-sayo, makaon man na di sila, naga-interact,” Catalbas said.

Some of the activities organized by different religious groups include Via Crusis (Way of the Cross), Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) Film Showing, re-enactment, musical and stage presentations, Easter Egg Hunting, and meditative reflection.

Acting Municipal Administrator Paul Esmaya said tourists can visit other religious and eco-tourism sites in the town, which include St. Isidore the Worker Parish Church in Navalas, Javellana Church in East Valencia, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Patroness of Center II in Banban, Marian Shrine, Calvary Hill, Bukid Kasarig, and Daliran Cave, among others.

Buenavista LGU stressed that the festival also aims to sustain the “Character First” Program for the Moral Recovery of the town, which is centered on improving the behavior and values of the residents.

“This will offer an opportunity for reflection and spiritual growth using the inexhaustible riches of the word of God as a source for deeper spirituality. This is celebrated as a resource for meditative reflection and could be instrumental in improving the quality of life,” it added.

The Worship Festival of Buenavista town is part of the celebration of the Semana Santa sa Guimaras, together with the “Pagtaltal” of Jordan and “Pamalandong sa Tamborong” in San Lorenzo, as the province aspires to be the “Lenten Capital” of the region.