‘A celebration of faith, tradition’

A man with a cloth mask carries a wooden cross from Capital Hill to the summit of Mount Tapochao and back. A former drug and alcohol user finds peace and enjoys the unobstructed view of Saipan. Another man in yellow pants walks on the rough road with bare feet. A mother consoles her tired son that they’re nearing the end of the trek.

They are among the several thousands of people who made yesterday’s morning pilgrimage to Mount Tapochao in observance of Good Friday.

Despite the rain, the fog and, later, dust and sun, the devotees carried on with their walking, stopping for a few minutes to catch their breath or marvel at the view below.

Each of the trekkers had a reason for joining the annual pilgrimage—whether it was for the atonement of sins, to celebrate the Catholic faith, continue a tradition, or simply enjoy the exhilarating view from the top and an early morning walk with people from all walks of life.

James Alex, 20, said he used to live a life of alcohol, drugs and violence but he has changed for the better. He said he’s proud to complete his first trek to Mount Tapochao on Good Friday, along with his aunt, Andrea Wishim, 24, and another young relative.

“This is part of being good again. I’m really proud of coming up here and I think it will help erase some of my sins. I used to be a bad person,” he told Saipan Tribune as he marveled at the view of the Saipan lagoon from the peak.

Mount Tapochao is the highest point on Saipan at 1,545 feet. It offers an amazing 360-degree view of the island, which is only about the size of San Francisco, California, but is slightly larger than Hong Kong.

Alex said he enjoyed the walk and will join the trek again next year. “My grandma also told me about this,” the Northern Marianas College student added.

One of the highlights of the Good Friday rites to Saipan’s highest peak is the carrying of a replica of the Holy Cross by a group of men from the base of the mountain to the top—but without the self-flagellation done in the Philippines and other countries—to commemorate the life and passion of Christ. The CNMI is a predominantly Catholic community.

Other devotees prayed and sang as the cross was carried to the top.

Negotiating the rocky and slippery hillside to bring the cross to the summit was a spectacle in itself. After reaching the summit, a group of men held the ropes from opposite sides of the cross, making sure the cross does not slip as they try to stabilize it and “plant” it. When it was done, people below cheered and clapped.

One of those who have been helping to carry the cross every year for at least the last 10 years is Bill Camacho, 49. “This is to praise the Lord. He died for our sins. This is also part of our culture. This is a very important tradition,” he said.

His wife, Marie Sapong, 46, said she’s a Christian Protestant and yesterday was her first time to join her husband to the Good Friday pilgrimage. “I’m a believer. This is my first time to join this and I’m touched with the reenactment of the passion of Christ. This motivates people. I will come here again next year,” she said.

George Moses, 48, said in the years he has been going to Mount Tapochao, he has seen greater participation by younger people. “This is part of our religious belief. More young people are coming and it’s not a dying tradition. It’s getting better,” he said.

His 7-year-old granddaughter Candy Santos said she woke up at 6am to join her grandfather and other relatives in the trek. “I enjoyed the walking,” she said.

Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela estimated at least 2,000 people but said almost the same number has already gone back home because they started walking early.

“I thank people for participating in the Good Friday walk. It’s one of the biggest religious events on Saipan but it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Catholic or not. And today, there’s not much sun, people got wet from the rain but everybody’s okay,” he said.

Every year, the office of the mayor cleans up the road leading to Mount Tapochao about a month before Good Friday.

The side of the road leading to the mountaintop was lined with tents set up by different private groups and agencies to provide free water, coffee, bread, fruits, boiled eggs, congee and other food items to devotees.

Regardless of who is in power, the Office of the Governor is always the first tent to greet devotees with their fruits and drinks.

Gubernatorial candidates Juan “Pan” T. Guerrero and his running mate, Floor Leader Joseph Camacho, and their supporters also set up a tent to provide free water to everyone.

“First, I own the property, and second, there are at least 4,000 people walking here (needing water). We’ve been here since 3am and that time, there were already people coming down,” said Guerrero.

Camacho, for his part, said even before they sought public office, they have been helping devotees on their trek to the mountaintop.

The American Red Cross-NMI Chapter gathered at least 14 volunteers ready to provide first aid services if and when needed.

“Red Cross has been doing this for a long time. We provide water and we’re ready with first aid kits but thankfully, nobody needed it,” said Juan Diego Tenorio, emergency services director of the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter.

Chris Tenorio of Jets Holdings said providing free bottled water is their company’s way of giving back to the community. At least 20 employees helped out in the company program.

Other groups that also provided free drinks and food were the United Filipino Organization, CNMI Power Corp. and Bicol Association, with the help of the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects.