For actor Yasser Marta, portraying Hesukristo this Holy Week is not about spectacle—it is about responsibility.

Taking on the lead role in Angeles City’s Siete Palabras 2026, the Sparkle artist approaches one of Philippine religious theater’s most demanding portrayals with quiet discipline and deep respect. Despite his Muslim background and Portuguese-Tausug heritage, Marta does not frame the role as a statement, but as a commitment to the craft and to the story he has been entrusted to tell.

Preparation, for him, is paramount. He immersed himself in the material, studying the emotional depth of the narrative and reflecting on how to convey it with honesty. Watching The Passion of the Christ formed part of that process—not to imitate, but to better understand restraint and storytelling, both essential in a senakulo, where sincerity carries more weight than spectacle.

The role takes on greater meaning within the context of Holy Week in the Philippines, a time marked by deep spiritual reflection. Audiences do not simply watch—they come to pray, reflect, and connect. For Marta, that awareness shapes his entire approach.

He views the role with humility, seeing himself less as an actor and more as a vessel for a story that holds profound spiritual significance. It is not a role to claim, but one to serve.

That perspective guides him through the physical and emotional demands of the performance—from long rehearsals to taxing scenes under the heat—while carrying the deeper responsibility of representing a narrative rooted in sacrifice, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

At its core, he notes, the story transcends religion: it is about enduring suffering, facing betrayal, and choosing compassion until the end.

Marta leads this year’s staging of Siete Palabras, one of Pampanga’s most anticipated Holy Week traditions, mounted by Barangay Lourdes North West with support from the Angeles City government under Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II. Directed by Jayson Pabalan in collaboration with Uyat Artista, the production brings the Seven Last Words of Christ to life through a blend of performance and devotion.

The observance opened with a Parade of Stars that drew crowds of Angeleños and visitors. The reenactment of the Last Supper is set for 2 April at 7 p.m. along Kalayaan Street, while the Passion and Crucifixion will unfold on 3 April beginning at 1 p.m. from Sapang Bato Terminal along Henson Street and culminating in the depiction of Golgotha.

More than a reenactment, Siete Palabras remains a living tradition.