Bargayo to be "crucified" again

CEBU, Philippines - After four years of resting from the “Cross”, Gilbert Bargayo will be “crucified” again on April 6, Good Friday, in Barangay Duljo-Fatima.

Bargayo, who has been known for having himself nailed to the cross for 16 Good Fridays now, will have his 17th crucifixion upon the invitation of barangay captain Elmer Abella.

The crucifixion of Bargayo, who is now 52, was stalled because he suffered from allergies in 2008 and wasn’t able to get sponsors for the past three years until November last year, when Abella and company contacted him.

The Catholic Church frowns on crucifixions as a means of sacrifice, but Bargayo revealed he offers himself as penance, and to raise funds for the renovation of the Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in Cogon, Carcar City, where he serves as the chapel’s Public Information Officer.

He said that in 2006 and 2008, during his crucifixion show in Guadalupe, Cebu City, and Mantalongon, Dalaguete town, respectively, the organizers promised to help him with the chapel’s renovation.

“But gi-break nila ilang promise. Mubalik ta sa ilang office para magfollow-up, dili na ta asikasuhon, kay human na man ang Holy Week, (They broke their promise. When I visit their office to follow-up, they don’t entertain me because the Holy Week has passed.)” he lamented.

He was first “crucified” in Tacloban City, Leyte in 1990 to1993; in Cainta, Rizal from 1994 to 1995; in Carcar City from 1996 to 1998; Babag, Lapu-Lapu City in 1999, and again in Carcar City, from 2000 to 2004. The next was in 2006, and then in 2008.

Bargayo said he trusts that Abella, this time, will fulfill his promise. Abella himself is pleased that Bargayo agreed to be “crucified” in his barangay.

Meanwhile, for the eighth year while in office, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s will once again fulfill her annual commitment to visit the churches in southern Cebu on Holy Thursday.

Like last year, Garcia is set to visit 21 churches in the 18 southern towns starting at St. Catherine Parish Church in Carcar City, then to Sta. Ana Shrine in Barili town, down to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Dumanjug.

Garcia will also visit the parishes of Ronda and the rest of the southern towns.

She will have lunch at the Moalboal Municipal Hall then proceed to other parishes. She will then attend the Holy Mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Parish in Oslob.

The church visit will end at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Sibonga.  (FREEMAN)