Despite Some Hitches: Thousands witness two “crucifixions”

Thousands of people, including foreigners, gathered on Friday at the Guadalupe Church grounds in Cebu City to witness the reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while another group of spectators were at the Cristo Rey Mountain Park in Dalaguete town to watch a distinct but similar event.

The Guadalupe crucifixion, a play entitled 11th Buhing Kalbaryo, had Mark Escuyos who, acting as Jesus Christ, was actually nailed to the cross that brought many in the crowd to tears as they imagined how it was for Christ during his time.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, his wife Margarita “Margot” Osmeña and their son Miguel, were seen grimacing every time the nail was hammered into the palm of Escuyos who was moaning in excruciating pain.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the presentation, foreigners, balikbayans and other guests were with the mayor and his family at the VIP section in front of the stage, unmindful of the scorching heat of the sun.

But while Rama declared the event a success and congratulated the participants for a well applauded reenactment, the behind-the-scenes drama caused dismay to the event’s writer and director Al Evangelio.

Evangelio even said that it might be his last involvement in the “Kalbaryo”, as he complained on the alleged lack of preparation of the technical working committee for the needs of Escuyos before the Crucifixion.

Evangelio said that Escuyos was nailed to the cross without being given an anesthesia or a tetanus shot first, as was the usual preparations. He said he was only in-charge of production and the working group took care of the rest. Knowing that Escuyos was not given the needed shots, Evangelio said he got nervous and urinated in his pants.

However, he was assured that the four-inch nails that pierced Escuyos’ palms were sterilized. “Dili na ko next year.  Nasagmuyo gyud ko… no one will accept the blame,” Evangelio said.

He said that when Escuyos, who still played the role of a priest before the Crucifixion scene, was preparing to go up onstage to be nailed, he was supposed to be injected with anesthesia so the nailing would not be so painful for him.

“But the show must go on. I asked Mark if he can do it because we could no longer make the people wait and he said it’s okay for him,” Evangelio said. “Ila kasakit ug sakripisyo dili lalim.”

After he was brought down from the cross, Escuyos said it was painful but he did it for sacrifice. He was immediately given attention by the personnel of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and was brought to the hospital.

Despite the hitches, Evangelio commended the members 127 members of the Theatro Guadalupe who made up the cast of the Buhing Kalbaryo. It was Evangelio who also founded Theatro Guadalupe, which is composed of majority of out of school youths, who underwent rigid training and practice for only three weeks.

Evangelio started directing the play in 1997, but stopped in 2003 and 2004 after he had some differences with Rama.

Meanwhile, despite security threats and other alleged negative propaganda, thousands witness the 15th crucifixion of Gilbert Bargayo, this time in barangay Mantalongon, Dalaguete town.

Bargayo, a Waray, was nailed past 3 p.m. to give way to the request of the parish’s religious activities. Dalaguete police chief Reyman Tolentin, who sent two teams to secure the event, estimated the crowd at more than 7,000.

Aside from the police force, an instruction was also given by Dalaguete Mayor Andrade Alcantara for barangay tanods from other barangays to augment security.  Alcantara was not seen during or after the event as he was also busy with the Siete Palabras of the municipality.

He however gave instructions for his staff, specially the personnel from the Rural Health Unit, to assist in the first ever “Pasyon sa Mantalongon.”

Cristo Rey Mountain Park administrator Jose Maria Canton said except for a few minor ditches, he did not expect the number of the crowd and the attendance of several local members of the press as well as foreign.

Canton, after taking over as the administrator of the four-hectare Almagro Estate, decided to develop and open the Cristo Rey hill to the public.  The Cristo Rey is a 2.5-hectare hill that has life-seize statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross spread in different parts.  He said it is such a waste that the place, which was mainly used for family affairs, will not be shared to the public.

But people at the Mantalongon Market, where sellers and traders of vegetables converged, said there would have been more if not for the talks on security threats and the alleged fee that was charged for spectators to witness the event.

According to one vendor there were words of disruption to be done allegedly by Mantalongon barangay captain Ruel Reynes, a cousin of Canton with whom he has an ongoing family feud.

Another vendor also said there would have been many who wanted to see the event but they backed out after being informed that a P50 charge will be collected from the spectators.

Reynes, in an interview with The Freeman after the affair said, the “Pasyon sa Mantalongon” was a disrespect to the barangay and the parish. He said the organizers did not even bother to secure a permit from the barangay for consultation and permission.

Reynes said he felt sidetracked when the organizers sought approval from the municipality directly.

Considering that the “Pasyon sa Mantalongon” was an event showing additional tourism potential for Mantalongon not only the area being known as the “Little Baguio”, Reynes said it is no longer necessary.

“Dili na kinahanglan i-promote ang Mantalongon, ilado na tang daan wala pa na,” Reynes said.

When asked for his plans on the upcoming events at Cristo Rey as planned by Canton to have the “Pasyon” a yearly affair, Reynes said they will certainly protest it but will still have to study their moves first.

“Kanang pagpalansang, dili na maoy naandan sa tradisyon sa mga taga Mantalongon,” Reynes said.

Meanwhile, Bargayo, barely a week after having chicken pox, was delighted he was able to make it, reminding the public once again of Christ’s sufferings on the cross to save mankind. —/BRP