The “Taltal sa Barotac Viejo,” a live drama presentation of the life of Jesus Christ in the municipality of Barotac Viejo in Iloilo, is back this Good Friday (April 7) after going on hiatus for three years due to the pandemic.

“It’s a stage play, a reenactment. Our first scene will be the Last Supper and we will end at the Calvary for the crucifixion,” said Charlie Arante, one of the play directors, in an interview.

A crowd of 50,000 is expected to watch the street presentation for this year.

The stage play will start at 8 a.m. at the municipal gymnasium followed by a procession passing by designated stations for reenactments of scenes until it reaches the Calvary Hill in Sitio Pal-ac, Barangay Poblacion for the final scene at noontime.

He did not divulge the rest of the scenes and instead invited neighboring municipalities to witness the reenactment that will be played out over a kilometer.

Characters composed of the “men and women of Jerusalem, apostles, priests, and Jesus Christ”, among others, will reach over 200 participants.

Marine Technical Sergeant Rolen Cartagena will portray the role of Jesus Christ from the scourging to Calvary. He said he could not explain his feelings while depicting the character.

He started as one of the ordinary cast and moved to become Jesus Christ in 2002 until 2011 and 2018.

“I started portraying the role when I was 20 years old, the youngest to act as Jesus Christ. In the history of Taltal, I am the seventh to portray the role,” he said in dialect in a separate interview.

He had been portraying the role for two years before joining the Philippine Marines and settled with his family in Mindanao.

He came home last March 27 to specifically prepare for the Taltal.

The military officer said there were adjustments when it comes to his personality as a military man to portraying the role of Christ but he lifts everything to God for him to deliver the role.

“I draw strength from the Lord. I pray to the Lord to just be there to protect, give strength, and power for me to survive Friday,” he added.

Former Sangguniang Bayan member Antonio Balairos Jr, one of the directors, who will also play the role of Caiaphas, said since it is a comeback, then everyone is excited to witness the Taltal.

Barotac Viejo Mayor Nielo “Bongbong” Tupas, in a previous interview with the media, said he is looking forward to making it the best Taltal since it will be the first reenactment under his term.

He added that the Lenten season is a time to reflect, to be humbled, and of thanksgiving since “we are here because of the sacrifices of Christ.”

“Taltal” is a Hiligaynon word meaning to remove as the drama ends with the removal or bringing down the body of Jesus Christ from the cross and is laid in the arms of Mother Mary.Perla Lena/PNA