Buhing Kalbaryo 2012 seen to attract more spectators

CEBU, Philippines -  This year’s Buhing Kalbaryo project expects to attract a bigger audience, especially tourists, as it becomes grander each year.

 The Buhing Kalbaryo, a Good Friday tradition, is the reenactment of the passion, death and burial of Jesus Christ that will traverse the streets of barangays San Nicolas Proper, Calamba and Guadalupe, this city.

 The 4.5 kilometer procession will start from the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino and end in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 It will be in San Nicolas where the actor who will play Jesus Christ will be sentenced by the actor playing Pontius Pilate. He will then walk carrying the cross to the Guadalupe Church where he will be crucified.

 Archie Modequillo, this year’s director, said this year’s passion play will be different from last year with their depiction of the apostle Judas.

 He said that Judas has always been depicted as the bad guy but few only see him as a victim himself. There are also some parts to be cut that they deem “not very Catholic”.

 Modequillo said that they are working hard to make sure that the actors will look as real as the characters they are playing and not just actors portraying roles.

 The cast has been rehearsing since March 1. The Buhing Pasko Association Inc., the organizer of the event, has solicited funds from various private sponsors and from the city government.

 George Chu, project director, said that he hopes the Buhing Kalbaryo will become a tradition in the city that will be carried on from generation to generation.

 He said the Buhing Kalbaryo, which has been held for 15 years now, has helped a lot of youths.

 Gloria Villarojo, Buhing Kalbaryo 2012 executive producer, invited the Cebuanos and local and foreign tourists to witness the play and take this opportunity to repent and reflect on their lives.  (FREEMAN)