Holy Week 2024: Tabor Hill in Talamban, experience the authentic essence of Via Crucis

OAD Tabor Hill is situated in the hilly part of Talamban, Cebu City, and  it is less than 10 kilometers away from downtown. | CDN Photo/ Dave Cuizon

CEBU CITY, Philippines – This Holy Week, the Via Crucis, also known as the Stations of the Cross, is one of the most practiced form of devotion among Catholics, particularly in the Philippines.

The Via Crucis commemorates the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

It typically involves a series of 14 stations or scenes, each representing a specific event that occurred on the path Jesus took to his crucifixion on Mount Calvary.

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In Cebu, the serene hills of Talamban in Cebu City host one of the most sought-after destinations for the Via Crucis or the Stations of the Cross, the OAD Tabor Hill.

Several devotees visit OAD Tabor Hill in Talamban to reflect on the passion of Jesus Christ through the Via Crucis procession.

The OAD Tabor Hill is a favored destination for devotees seeking an authentic setting that embodies sacrifice and personal devotion.

Its challenging terrain, descending from the first station downhill to the last station uphill, has provided an evocative backdrop for the Via Crucis experience.

Holy Week 2024: The Origin of OAD Tabor Hill

Reverend Peter Paul Arellano, OAD, the spokesperson for Holy Week 2024 and the information chairman of the Tabor Hill community, shared with CDN Digital how the place has evolved over the years of hosting pilgrims.

Reverend Peter Paul Arellano, OAD of Tabor Hill, Talamban, Cebu City.

According to Rev. Arellano, OAD, Tabor Hill began when the first OAD missionary, Reverend Father Luigi Kerschbamer, arrived in the Philippines from Italy. He was chosen to serve in the country to fulfill a longstanding mission.

In 1994, Father Luigi started his mission in a simple house and later sought support from benefactors, along with two Filipino OAD priests.

Eventually, someone donated the land and they moved from Banilad, then Talamban, and finally settling in Tabor Hill around 1995.

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Rev. Arellano shared that the completion of Tabor Hill was a gradual process, with the initial community residing in lower Tabor, where a small house served as the “aspirancy” house of the OAD, built from nipa huts.

This location marked the establishment of the first seminary on Tabor Hill, evolving over time.

Inspired by Mount Tabor in Galilee, Israel, where Jesus Christ underwent his transfiguration, Rev. Arellano explained how the design of Tabor Hill’s chapel prominently features an altar depicting Jesus transfigured, with Moses and the Prophet Elijah on his left and right sides, echoing the scene of Jesus’ transfiguration.

Via Crucis: The 14th to 16th stations in OAD Tabor Hill

A sloping hill features 16 stations of the cross, decending from the first station downhill to the last station uphill.

Rev. Arellano explained that while traditional Stations of the Cross typically have 12 to 14 stations, the one at OAD Tabor Hill have 16.

He clarified that these additional stations depict the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, providing a more comprehensive journey through the key events of Jesus’ final days.

“Diri sa amoang station of the cross, we have 16 stations. Regularly, we have the 14 stations ra man but we included the 15th station which is the resurrection of Jesus and the 16th station which is the descent of the Holy spirit,” he explained.

(Here in our Stations of the Cross, we have 16 stations. Regularly, we have only 14 stations, but we included the 15th station, which is the resurrection of Jesus and the 16th station, which is the descent of the Holy Spirit.)

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He added, “So somehow, we included sa (in the) stations of the cross [ang] passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus which is the main heart, purpose, or center of the Holy week.”

He also noted that devotees preferdre to hold the Via Crucis at Tabor Hill because they truly felt the sacrifice involved. As they progress through the stations, they ascend uphill, symbolizing the uphill journey of Jesus carrying the cross.

“We, Filipinos, mafeel man jud nato nu nga during the Holy Week or Lenten season, we need to give a little sacrifice. So somehow, Holy Week is related to the word ‘sacrifice’ for us… Even when we exert a little effort, when we exercise or sweat out murag maka ‘thanks, God’ nata ba,” he said.

(We, Filipinos, we can really feel that during the Holy Week or the Lenten season, we need to give a little sacrifice. So somehow, Holy Week is related to the word ‘sacrifice’ for us…Even when we exert a little effort, when we exercise or sweat out, it seems that we can say thanks to God.)

In terms of mass services, Rev. Arellano confirmed that OAD Tabor Hill hosts Sunday masses in the middle Tabor community, along with a Latin Mass, catering to various worship preferences.

Regarding Holy Week activities, he mentioned the availability of confession throughout the day starting from Holy Wednesday, as well as liturgical celebrations on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and during the Easter vigil.

How to get there?

OAD Tabor Hill is more or less 10 kilometers away from Cebu City.

To reach Tabor Hill from Colon Street, opposite Super Metro Colon, Metro Wholesale Mart, or University of the Visayas (UV), you can take a jeepney bound for Talamban (13B or 13C) or Pit-os (62B or 62C).

If you’ve boarded a jeepney bound for Talamban (13B or 13C), alight at San Jose Bakeshop and arrange for a habal-habal ride to Tabor Hill.

For those on a jeepney bound for Pit-os (62B or 62C), get off at the corner across Savers Home Depot/Three Sixty Pharmacy and hire a habal-habal to Tabor Hill.

If you’re traveling by car, take the Talamban route and head towards Cebu North General Hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, turn right, then left at the sign indicating the way to Tabor Hill.

More photos of OAD Tabor Hill

All Photos were taken by Christian Dave Cuizon.