"Isabuhay, isapuso ang tunay na buhay ng Semana Santa. Live with it! (Put into action and put it in your heart the true meaning of the Holy Week, Live with it)" This was the message that Hon. Ferdie Estrella, Provincial Board Member and son of Mayor Romy Estrella would like to tell the youth of Baliuag during our interview with him.

Dave and Shady during the Good Friday procession interacts up close with some of the owners of the saints and images which participated in the annual procession in Baliuag. The interview open up new interesting facts about this tradition which dates back 100 years ago.

The "karo" of Mayor Romy and his wife Sonia (#68 - ANG PAGHAHANDA SA PAGLILIBING ) is now on its 7th year and it has been a faithful pledge of the family to do this every Holy Week. Ferdie, also added that when they become the owner of the "karo" it brought them luck and greater blessings and perhaps it is the one that guide them throughout their political career of service to the people. After the annual procession their Headquarters is the home to this work of faith and art.

Our first stop was with #36 ANG PAGHAMPAS KAY HESUS – JACINTO CRUZ JR AT MGA KAPATID . This was among the original participants in the annual procession and this year it is in ints 40th annual participation. The owner attributed their great blessing of being in abroad and a prosperous life to owning the "karo" Every year a representative of the siblings would come home and manage their karo's participation.

#58 - ANG PAGPAPAKO KAY HESUS SA KRUS – G. AT GNG. REMY TAGLE, NITA, NINI, ISAGANI, AMANG AT ZENY TAGLE FAJARDO . In preparation for the annual procession this karo spends around P10,000 per imageand has been one of the oldest as well. Preparations were made 2 weeks prior to the event or usually during Palm Sunday.

#52 -ANG PAGKASUBASOB NI HESUS PATUNGONG KALBARYO – PAMILYA NI GNG. ENCAR VALENCIA . Rommel which is representing the family which owns the karo ad is now 27 years old says that they are participating in this event in order to partake in Jesus' sacrifice. "Hindi basta-basta magkaroon ng karo (Owning a karo is not that simple)," says Rommel. Their karo spends around P30,000.

#69 - ANG PAGLILIBING KAY HESUS – DR. DOMINGO SANCHEZ. The karo's choice was highly influenced by an accident in which the owner's life was put in danger and was has survived the accident miracolously. The accessories and decoration for the karo was donated by friends and all those who are helping them do it voluntarily. The karo can also be seen at a chapen which the family erected during the regular season.

#72 - JUANA NI CUSA – G. MARCOS CRUZ AT G. ENRICO C. IGNACIO . Almost around P40,000 was spent yearly including 3 set of clothing. The owner formerly presented Mary of Bethany but it was not accepted back then because Mary of Bethany was not yet verified to be factual. The karo of Juana ni Cusa is now on its 5th year. During that 5 years, Marcos attibuted his blessings and financial stability to the saint.

#80- JUAN EVANGELISTA . "Bata pa ako kasama na ako dyan (I am joining this processions even when I am still young)," Mr. Boyet Castro told us telling that San Juan Evangelista belongs to the original set of Holy Week karos. He also said that most of the original participants had a parcel of farm dedicated to the saint wherein the earnings from them were for exclusive use for the saint and the annual occasion. Boyet Castro at present is a lay minister in the church and belongs to a very religious family.

#70 - ANG BANGKAY NI HESUS (Santo Entierro) – G. AT GNG. JOSE FAJARDO. Danny Encinares told us that most of the participants who walked by this karo are either apostoles or members of the church lectors. He also said that Santo Entierro is a miracolous one. It was passed on to him bu his ancestors and he had been participating in the procession for more than 40 years.

#81 - ANG INANG NAGDADALAMHATI (Mater Dolorosa) - PAMILYA NI GNG. CRISTINA VDA. DE CRUZ. "Hindi pa kami tao poon na ito (This is already here even before we were born)" Most of the participants walking with this karo belong to the Franciscano Sekular which considers Mater Dolorosa as their patron saint.

# 63 - ANG PAGKAMATAY NI HESUS SA KRUS – PAMILYA GATMAITAN. Corazon Gatmaitan Plamenco told us that the karo was also passed on to them by their ancesotrs. She also said that events like this increase the bonding of the family as well as incalcate in each others mind the sacrifice of Christ.

Shady and Shen thanks everyone for their time and effort in giving time for our quick interview regarding their karo and their viewpoints. THANKS!

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