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The "Tais-Dupol" penitents in Palo, Leyte. Photo courtesy of Msgr. Gilbert Urbina

The "Tais-Dupol" penitents in Palo, Leyte.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1711872418750033124_Tais-Dupol 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The " penitents="" in="" Leyte.="" Photo="" courtesy="" of="" Msgr.="" Gilbert=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The &quot;Tais-Dupol&quot; penitents in Palo, Leyte. <em>Photo courtesy of Msgr. Gilbert Urbina</em></span></span></span><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Strange-looking penitents wearing conical formed hats, long robes and covered faces took the center stage during the Holy Week, especially on Good Friday in Palo, Leyte.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">These all-male penitents are referred to as the &quot;Tais-Dupol.&quot; “Tais” is a local term which refers to pointed, while “dupol” means blunt, to describe the hats they wear. </span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Penitents wearing long white robes wear pointed hats, while those wearing violet robes have blunt or horizontal top conical hats. They also walk barefoot despite the hot weather for penance. Their faces are also covered, evoking anonymity and humility.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">These penitents take part in major liturgies and processions, collect contributions, and assist in maintaining order during the Senakulo (a reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ).</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">As explained by Msgr. Gilbert Urbina, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Palo, this tradition traces its origin back to the 1600s when flagellants were common during Holy Week, later organized into the penitential group by Franciscan Fray Pantaleon de la Fuente in the late 1800s.</span></div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/29/crucifixions-whippings-mark-good-friday-in-ph-1423"><strong>Crucifixions, whippings mark Good Friday in PH<br/></strong></a></div><div><span dir="ltr">Urbina laments that despite its historical significance, there has been a misconception among non-residents of Palo, associating their attire with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). </span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;Unfortunately, many who are not from Palo associate their garb with the Klu Klux Klan which was active in southern USA in the late 1800s and early 1900s (people from Palo and environs are not even aware of this kind of KKK),&quot; he in his social media post.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Urbina further explained that KKK&#x27;s use of similar attire was a mockery of Catholic practices. &quot;Associating the Tais-Dupol with the KKK betrays an ignorance of the foundations and origins of the KKK as an anti-Catholic and anti-black association,&quot; he said.</span><span dir="ltr"></span><span dir="ltr"></span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;In fact, the KKK’s use of the medieval penitential garb of Spain was a downright mockery of the Catholic faith and practices. So, to associate the KKK with the Tais-Dupol reveals ignorance not just of history but also of cultural anthropology,&quot; Urbina explained.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">Urbina further challenged critics to understand the motives of the Palo community in preserving this tradition.</span></div><div><span dir="ltr">&quot;The challenge for critics is to ask the motive of those in Palo who every year continue to don the habit and do penance the way they have done for years. The world needs symbols of penance and mortification - values which our hedonistic world woefully lack,&quot; he said.</span></div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/lenten-traditions-how-filipinos-observe-holy-week-1758"><strong>Lenten traditions: How Filipinos observe Holy Week<br/></strong></a></div><div><span dir="ltr"><strong>— Report from Sharon Evite</strong></span></div>

<p>Strange-looking penitents wearing conical formed hats, long robes and covered faces took the center stage during the Holy Week, especially on Good Friday in Palo, Leyte.</p>

Strange-looking penitents wearing conical formed hats, long robes and covered faces took the center stage during the Holy Week, especially on Good Friday in Palo, Leyte.

'Tais-Dupol' takes center stage in Palo's Holy Week tradition

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'Tais-Dupol' takes center stage in Palo's Holy Week tradition

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2024 04:13 PM PHT

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