AS early as 2 a.m. on Good Friday, many island residents were already walking up to the summit of Mt. Tapochao as part of an annual tradition on island.
“The turnout has been wonderful,” said Father James Balajadia who led the prayer service and procession for the 30-foot wooden cross that was erected on Mt. Tapochao, the island’s highest point.
“After two years since the outbreak of Covid-19, and for us to gather again as a community, especially for us as Christian faithful on one of the most solemn and holy days of the year, I am just very grateful and thankful to the Lord, and to the community for the outpouring of support and their help,” Father Balajadia said.
He said the Good Friday tradition “is the core and foundation of our Christian faith in which we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ, and that he had risen from the dead.”
Father Balajadia added, “The cross and resurrection are inextricably intertwined — they are connected…without suffering there is no glory, without sacrifice there is no personal healing. We have carried our own crosses for the last two years. You have a death in your family, a sickness, or something unfair happens to you. Jesus shows us that our suffering does not have to be in vain. But we can unite ourselves with him, on his cross, it can be redemptive, and our suffering is for a reason… as it teaches us to be more resilient and stronger in the face of challenges.”
“Because of our faith in the Lord,” Father Balajadia said, “it’s good to see some sort of normalcy.”
Among the devotees who carried the wooden cross to the top of the summit on Friday was Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan who had not missed the Good Friday procession for 10 years — until the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.
“For the past two years, we were not allowed to make the trek and have a procession,” Sablan said, “so we are just happy that we can be involved again this year.”
He added, “Today’s turnout was unbelievable — it just shows we are a community of faithful.”
Sablan said his message to the community is to keep the faith. “We also have to love one another, and to move forward, and work together as a community. Events like this are a true testament to what we are really capable of, staying together and being together. As long as we sacrifice and give our faith to our Lord, we will be in good hands.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, for his part, expressed his appreciation to the many volunteers from the government and non-profit organizations for making the event successful.
The governor was among the devotees who joined the trek to the top. “There’s definitely a lot of people, and I am guessing 4,000 or 5,000 people came up here,” he added.
For the governor, “Good Friday is the time to reflect on what Jesus Christ has given up for us and what we give up for others. I hope each one of us keeps our faith in Jesus who is our savior. Happy Easter everyone!”
Precinct 2 Rep. John Paul Sablan said, “I’m very happy to see a lot of our people joining the trek to Mt. Tapochao. We missed it for two years, and this is one of the major traditions in our Christian faith. I wish everyone a Happy Easter!”
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, for his part, said, “This year’s [observance] is very successful — a lot of people came out.”
“I saw people coming up as early as 2 a.m. trying to beat the crowd and traffic. The parking is all the way down to the legislative building,” Apatang added.
“The cross has been up already, but we can still see people arriving and coming up to the top.
“It’s good to see our people out, not only honoring our religious tradition, but they also get to exercise which is good for their health,” the mayor said.
“It’s really a good turnout today so I want to thank the general public for their cooperation, and especially to my staffers who worked hard to get this place ready for the devotees and the community. We hope to see everyone again next year.”
Devotees carrying a wooden cross approach the island’s highest point on Good Friday.
Devotees erect a 30-foot wooden cross on Mount Tapochao on Good Friday.
A devotee, left, kneels while praying on Mount Tapochao on Good Friday.
Precinct Rep. John Paul Sablan was one of the community members who joined this year’s Good Friday trek to Mount Tapochao.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, right foreground, poses for a photo with Miss Northern Marianas Earth 2021 Crystal Fiona Rio, right background, the mayor’s staffers and other volunteers.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, 3rd right, poses for a photo with the Good Friday volunteers of the United Filipino Organization led by its president Mar Masilungan, 4th right.
