Cruise Tourists To Witness Holy Week Observance In Eastern Visayas

Locals of historic towns of Limasawa, Southern Leyte and Capul, Northern Samar will showcase religious rites this Holy Week as they welcome the return of cruise ship, Caledonian Sky.

For the second time, Caledonia Sky will make port of call in Limasawa on Maundy Thursday and Capul on Good Friday, said Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes.

“We will be changing the concept of their shore excursion giving due considerations that there are religious activities that will be done by the community on those dates,” Tiopes said.

“They’re not just any leisure group who want to go around and see the place and enjoy the beaches. This is a specialized cruise for people who are into culture. They want to know about history, traditions and way of life of the people.”

About 100 tourists on board of cruise ship will arrive in Pintuyan, Southern Leyte Thursday morning for diving and snorkelling activities in the area. The group will proceed to Limasawa town in the afternoon to witness religious activities.

Upon arrival in Limasawa, locals will dramatize the event when Ferdinand Magellan set foot in the island to hold the first Roman Catholic mass in the Philippines on March 31, 1521.

After lunch on Friday, the cruise ship will make a port of call in Capul, the other side of Eastern Visayas. The lighthouse build in the island served as a guidepost for the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade vessels passing through the treacherous waters of San Bernardino Strait.

In Capul, locals will dramatize the “Siete Palabras” at the Capul Church and Fortress, built during the Spanish Colonial Period.

“Siete Palabras” is a reference to the seven final phrases reportedly spoken by Jesus Christ prior to his death by crucifixion upon the Cross.

“The community has been preparing and they are a little bit excited because this is the first time that they will dramatize the Siete Palabras,” Tiopes said.

Limasawa and Capul were included in their 17-day expedition in Malaysia and Philippines starting March 12. The ship will make port of calls in Puerta Princesa in Palawan, Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, Coron Island, Apo Reef, Sibuyan Island, Balicasag, Bohol, Camiguin Island, Ticao Island and Manila.

The two islands in the region were considered as the best destinations that is why the two places were included in their expedition.

“They chose the best of the best destination based on their last year’s experience. This is a big challenge for us that means we have to sustain if not surpass their expectation of having a quality experience in Region 8,” the DOT official added. (PNA) JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO