Bargayo denies talks linking his crucifixion to Tommy

CEBU, Philippines - The 52-year old Gilbert Bargayo who is scheduled to be crucified before a huge crowd in barangay Duljo-Fatima on Good Friday strongly denied speculations yesterday that it is Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña who sponsored the activity.

Duljo-Fatima barangay captain Elmer Abella supported Bargayo’s statement and said he was the one who went to Carcar to look for Bargayo and personally ask him to perform his sacrifices in their barangay.

Abella said he wanted to give his constituents a chance to see Bargayo’s “crucifixion.”

Bargayo’s last crucifixion was in Carcar City the other year. He reportedly did not perform the same activity last year because there were no “sponsors” who committed to support the construction of a chapel in his hometown.

Both Bargayo and Abella visited Mayor Michael Rama in City Hall yesterday. The mayor assured Bargayo that he will help realize Bargayo’s dream for the construction of a chapel with the assistance of Engr. Ricky Dakay of the Cebu Contractors Association.

“After sa Holy Week adto mi sa Carcar kay susihon namo kun naa ba g’yuy yuta nga katukoran og kapilya kay tabangan nato si Bargayo nga matuman na ang dugay niyang gidamgo nga kapilya. (After Holy Week, we will go to Carcar to check if there is a place where we can construct a chapel so that we will help Bargayo fulfill his dream.)”, the mayor said.

While Rama supported Bargayo’s crucifixion in barangay Duljo-Fatima, the mayor said he will not be attending the event because he already decided to witness the “Buhing Kalbaryo” in barangay Guadalupe.

“Buhing Kalbaryo” is another Lenten activity where the sacrifices of Jesus Christ are also performed but the one portraying the role of Jesus Christ will not be crucified. The nails will only be stuck onto his palms.

“Sa una may magpalansang man g’yud sa krus sa Buhing Kalbaryo apan wala nay magpatuga-tuga kay nahadlok dihang sa una nakalimtan pag-anesthesia ang kamot basta kay nakaihi sa kasakit. (Before, someone really agreed to be crucified for the “Buhing Kalbaryo” but it later stopped after one incident where they forgot the anesthesia.)”, a City Hall insider said.

Bargayo said he will not use anesthesia before he will be crucified on Good Friday. “Sakit g’yud hinoon kaayo pero agwantahon lang ang kasakit. (It really is painful but I will just bear the pain.)”, Bargayo said.

This will be the 17th time that Bargayo will allow himself to be crucified before the public. The agreement is that after he will be taken down from the cross, he will be brought to sea for him to bathe there.

“Mga upat ka adlaw maayo ra man ang samad. (Within four days, the wound is healed.)” Bargayo told The FREEMAN while showing this reporter the sharp nails to be used during the activity. — (FREEMAN)