Photo Coverage: HESUS NAZARENO, Mandaluyong City's Homegrown Passion Play

Manila, Philippines--If you're a devoted pilgrim or a wandering tourist this Holy Week, you don't need to leave the metro to experience a traditional passion play. In its seventh year, community-based theater group Tanghalan Mandaluyong presents its own take on the life and times of Jesus Christ via the passion play "Hesus Nazareno" (Jesus of Nazareth).

Admission-free, "Hesus Nazareno," in two parts, directed by Tanghalan Mandaluyong's founder, Ronnel Coronado, plays at the San Jose Covered Court, Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City this Good Friday, April 19, and Black Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m.

"Hesus Nazareno" showcases Mandaluyong City's local artists. Playing the title role is Tanghalan Mandaluyong's current president, Laurent Mercado (Jesus Christ). He is joined on stage by Rodel Bantilan and Joel Crisostomo (Simon Caneneo), Cris Victor (Santiago, Anak ni Alfeo, Gabriel), Nino Ancheta (Santiago), Klarc Nxon Raymundo (Tadeo), Mann Bautista (Tomas, Jose), Rhamiel Cruz (Bartolome, Singgo), Ronnel Quinto (Andres), Alan Zambrano (Felipe), Bogs Monsalve (Mateo), EJ Juta (Pedro), Jhon Lunes (Juan Evangelista), Jaimy Tibar (Salome), Michie Veloso (Herodias), Ray Raña (Herodes Antipas), John Eric Baldoza, Al Martin, and Rhalph Finuliar (Ang Tatlong Hari), RC Santos (Hudas Iscariote), Nicolas Usero, Roi Neri, Kenkoy Cordero, and JayZ Creer (Pariseo), Dennis Robles (Nicodemus), Chummy Quimpo (Caiaphas), Oliver Nieto (Annas), Lennio Antiojo (Paralitiko), Jacob Juaneza (Lazaro), Apple Mae Coronado (Martha), Japoy Eusebio Dones (Simon ng Cirineo), Rodel Bantilan and Jhon Lunes (Juan Bautista), Bheallyn Palaroan (Maria Magdalena), Kiro Dela Cruz and Justin Dean Dimaculangan (Batang Demonyo), Kristina Cassandra Longhas (Demonyita), Ronnel Coronado (Satanas), Joy Ras (Inang Maria), Mikel Perey (Pontio Pilato), Bhabes Abelardo (Claudia), Al Martin (Abenader), Daryl Cañas (Barabas), Jhayar Antiojo (Malco), and Lian Kurt Mercado (Batang Hesus), among others.

This Holy Week, Christians around the world commemorate the final days of Christ--his return to Jerusalem, crucifixion, and resurrection. In passion plays, local participants usually depict Christ's trial and death. However, in Tanghalan Mandaluyong's "Hesus Nazareno," it also revisits Christ's birth in a manger in Bethlehem and his early years in Nazareth.

Get more information on Tanghalan Mandaluyong's Facebook Page.

Photos: Oliver Oliveros

John Eric Baldoza, Al Martin, Rhalph Finuliar

The Company

The Company

RC Santos, Laurent Mercado, Nicolas Usero, Roi Neri

Jaimy Tibar, Michie Veloso
Nicolas Usero, Roi Neri, Kenkoy CorderoLaurent Mercado

Nicolas Usero, Roi Neri, Kenkoy Cordero, Chummy Quimpo

The Company

The Company

Laurent Mercado

Laurent Mercado

Laurent Mercado, Ray Rana

Mikel Perey, Bhabes Abelardo

Mikel Perey

Chummy Quimpo, Laurent Mercado

Nicolas Usero

Laurent Mercado

Laurent Mercado

Japoy Eusebio Dones, Laurent Mercado

Laurent Mercado

Ronnel Coronado

Ray Rana

Michie Veloso

Oliver Nieto

Laurent Mercado

Al Martin

Laurent Mercado, Daryl Cañas

Jhayar Antiojo, Laurent Mercado

Joy Ras

Laurent Mercado

RC Santos

Laurent Mercado