Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — With more than 80 kilograms on his shoulders and the weight of his own experiences in his heart, Rafael Pérez Pasquel will portray Jesus for the third time in the living Passion Play at Playa Delfines, where his performance transcends the stage to become a deeply personal experience.
For Rafael, representing Jesus is not just a religious tradition, but an act filled with memory and love. Each step he takes on the sand revives significant moments from his life: family celebrations, his graduation alongside his father, and days shared with his mother in Cancún. “There are many experiences I carry in my heart that allow me to do this once again,” he says.
The cross he carries, weighing over 80 kilograms, symbolizes not only the physical sacrifice of the character but also the emotional burdens each person faces.
“We all carry a cross. We often put the weight on ourselves, but if you carry it with love, there will always be a better time,” he reflects, giving a more intimate meaning to his role.
Throughout his three performances, each representation has been marked by different stages of his life. The first was dedicated to his mother, who was hospitalized at the time; the second to his father; and this third to loved ones like former bishop of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal Pedro Pablo Elizondo, who died earlier in 2026.
At Playa Delfines, before tourists and locals, Rafael Pasquel not only recreates a biblical scene but shares his own story, turning the Passion Play into an act of faith, memory, and resilience that connects with those who watch and with those who, like him, carry their own cross.
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