Lenten shows and activities

• 7 Last Words slated March 29

MANILA, Philippines - Make Mine Productions’ The Seven Last Words in the Year of Faith, Year 26 will be aired on Channel 13 on March 29 at 12 noon. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle taped his segment on Feb. 3 before going to Rome. Hosted by Fr. Larry Faraon with Ces de la Cruz and Lance Javier, the program is directed by Meng Canlas, president of Make Mine Productions, with script by Catherine “Chit” Chu.

The homilists are Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD (First Word: “Father forgive them they know not what they do”); Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ (Second Word: “Today, you shall be with me in paradise”); Fr. Anton CT Pascual (Third Word: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother”); Fr. Gil Peter Coching, SVD (Fourth Word: “Father, why have you forsaken me”); Fr. Erick Santos (Fifth Word: “I thirst”); Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP; (Sixth Word: “It is finished”); and Luis Antonio Tagle (Seventh Word: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”).

• Ryza Cenon topbills Tanikala

Ryza Cenon plays May Montealegre, the lead role in CBN Asia’s Holy Week special titled TANIKALA 5: Liwanag sa Dapithapon.

In the story, Ryza stars as a “shabu addict, young mom-turned-prostitute” seeking for her life’s meaning.

“I found the role very challenging since I don’t know what it feels to get high and addicted with drugs and cigarettes and to have a drug-dependent boyfriend. In real life, I’m the opposite. I don’t have any vices. And I’m not ashamed to say that I have a curfew and I’m a home buddy,” Ryza says.

So, where does she get all the emotions needed for the role?

“I look back on all the sad moments in my life. But still, it’s never going to replace the emotions I can give had I experienced those hardships and problems like that of May’s.”

Watch Tanikala 5 which also stars indie actor Junjun Quintana and airs on March 28 at 5 p.m. on GMA 7. Written by Gin Sardea and directed by Derrek Adapon, Tanikala 5: Liwanag sa Dapithapon  is a project of CBN Asia, producer of the inspirational show The 700 Club Asia and made-for-TV films such as Lamat sa Puso, Sa Ngalan ng Anak and its annual Lenten offering Tanikala.

• Enlightening Easter specials

From March 29 to 31, History offers a selection of gripping and enlightening Easter weekend specials on the story of Jesus, the mystery of God, the foundations of Christianity and religion and the events in the Vatican.

Showing on March 29 at 8 p.m. is The Story of Jesus, which documents the dramatic story of Jesus, the young charismatic Jewish teacher who was brutally put to death in Jerusalem.

Following shortly after at 11 p.m. is Art Of Faith: Christianity, a program that journeys through the key locations for Christianity.

Jesus: The Lost 40 Days premieres on March 30 at 8 p.m. According to the Bible, Jesus came back from the dead and walked the earth for 40 days before ascending to heaven.

Proving God shows after at 10 p.m., attempting to answer the ultimate question — does God really exist?

Easter Sunday night specials begin at 8 p.m. on March 31 with Secret Access: The Vatican. The show explores the Vatican Secret Archives and the libraries containing some of history’s priceless documents.

Finally at 10 p.m. is Crucifixion, which closes in on one of the cruelest, most demeaning and excruciating ways to die. Since the Romans chose this as their method to execute Jesus Christ, most people wrongly associate crucifixion as a strictly sacred or religious symbol.