Good Friday tradition continues

Despite the fog, muddy ground, and rain that made the trail slippery, hundreds of Catholics and Christian pilgrims still observed the longstanding tradition of trudging up Saipan’s highest peak, Mt. Tapochau, to mark Good Friday.

People began walking as early as 1:30am from the base of the 1,545-foot mountain with flashlights, jackets, and raincoats to protect them from the strong wind and chilly air.

Good Friday formally began with the giant wooden cross being transported from Mount Carmel Cathedral, where it was blessed, to the base of Mt. Tapochau, where devotees carried the cross on their shoulders to the top of the mountain.

In celebration of the passion and death of Jesus Christ, 13 Stations of the Cross were erected along the pathway, with pilgrims following San Roque parishioners and Fr. Florentino Daynos II, who volunteered to lead this year’s prayers to the peak of the mountain.

“I wanted to come here, because it’s my first time to come here and it’s a firsthand experience to join the carrying of the cross and I am happy and blessed that I got the opportunity to do this,” Daynos said.

He said the Stations of the Cross took more than an hour to complete, from the bottom of Mt. Tapochau to the top. He also joined in carrying the cross.

Bikers also took the opportunity to start their pilgrimage from villages such as Kagman and Garapan. Those who live on Capital Hill, meanwhile, either walked or jogged to Mt. Tapochau.

One biker, Rommel Isidro, biked with his group of friends from American Memorial Park to Mt. Tapochau.

“It was tiring, but I prefer riding my bike because I can adjust the gears and I have been doing this for four years, and I do climb the mountain during regular practice,” Isidro said.

Some government officials were also seen by Saipan Tribune walking up to Mt. Tapochau, including Reps. Chris Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan) and Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), Saipan Mayor Donald Flores, and press secretary Angel Demapan.

Demapan said it’s a tradition for people to walk to the top of Mt. Tapochau on Good Friday.

“Since I moved back here I decided to walk and it’s a good opportunity to make this sacrifice, and it’s a good day to come together as a people and share this celebration,” he said.

Flores said that the event is always on the schedule of the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

“The people continue to commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ. With that in mind we have cleared the roads about three times a year, and we also provide drinks and fruits to the walkers,” he said.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office staff manned a refreshment stand near the top along with other organizations such as American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, the United Filipino Organization, and other agencies that provide the walkers with free food and drinks.

UFO was among the first concessions that set up shop, at 12am, and handed out soup, water, coffee, eggs, and other food to more than 200 walkers who started hiking as early as 1:30am. Aside from food and drinks, other community members camped at the top or near the concession stands. Those that camped near the top turned on their car lights for the walkers.

At exactly 7:53am, the cross was finally installed at the mountain’s peak, with the help of many volunteers, young and old alike.

San Roque parishioners continued by praying and singing in commemoration of the passion and death of Christ.

Jayce Pineda, 17, one of the San Roque parishioners, said she has been doing this every year.

“It actually feels really good to come and lead the Stations of the Cross and a great experience to see the cross being lifted,” Pineda said.

Flores noted that trash will be picked up not only by his personnel but other organizations and community members that have volunteered.

Easter Sunday was also celebrated islandwide yesterday by hotels, businesses, organizations, and community members in celebration of Christ’s resurrection.