Outdoor mall hosts interactive Stations of the Cross

Bonifacio High Street is usually a place where people go to be seen. But during Holy Week the shops are closed, yet people still head to the upscale outdoor mall, not to be seen but to see. Church Simplified has set up Walkway: Reflections on the Stations of the Cross at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig from April 17 to April 24.

Instead of the usual Holy Week traditions, Walkway is an interactive exhibit that is both serious and light at the same time. The 14 stations are strategically placed along the mall grounds, close enough to each other to make it easy even for the elderly, and far apart enough for visitors to go through the exhibit slowly. One good thing about the Walkway is that the exhibit speaks for itself. Every station has an explanation that comes with an act for the visitors to do. There are no tour guides to dictate the pace of the exhibit, so visitors may think about what's written and do the suggested actions for however long they wish. Also, because the panels are large and the area spacious, the entire exhibit can be experienced without making a single sound. Since the shops around are closed, there is not much to distract the viewer from focusing on each station. Despite the mall setting, Walkway manages to be a solemn exhibit. The explanations are concise, and this delivers the message simply, without frills. Even the exhibit design is minimalist, with only black, red and white designs. Like the toys for babies, Walkway does away with distracting elements and highlights the essence of each station. The exhibit is meant to aid reflection rather than divert the viewer's attention. In the stillness of the city sans the frazzled office crowd, Walkway is a very effective method for meditation and prayer. Some visitors go through the exhibit without performing the recommended acts, but others gamely follow the instructions. Still, even just reading through the stations will put you in a state of reflection. At The Garden, there is a shattered mirror reminding the viewer of God's love. "As you take a hard look at the shattered reflection, remember that even in your brokenness Jesus sees how beautiful you really are," read the instructions at the first station. At the second station, visitors are asked to think of their greatest treasure by using a simple formula. What or where I spend most of my time + What or where I spend most of my resources + What or where I expend most of my passion = my greatest treasure. "There are times when the answer to this question can reveal so much of how our world can revolve around ourselves, our own needs, our own comforts," it says. At the third station, visitors learn how Jesus was illegally tried by the Sanhedrin. "Do you have the tendency to pass judgment on people way before you've given yourself a chance to hear their story?" visitors are asked. At the fourth station, visitors are given the chance to make a difference in one child's life by donating five pesos to the "Sponsor a Child" program of WE International Philippines. "Not everyone, just one. It's before you now; don't wash your hands," read the instructions. For those who don't want to donate, it's entirely voluntary. There is no punishment other than your nagging conscience. After all, the Walkway makes a convincing case. Some acts require visitors to pray for certain people in their lives, others are as simple as entering a tent. The Walkway allows you to take as long as you need, without requiring anything but an open heart and mind. - YA/HS, GMA News