CEBU, Philippines - For the 20th time, Gilbert Bargayo had himself, crucified during Good Friday, this time in Tuburan, Cebu where the spectators include a score of foreigners, particularly an American television crew.
In an interview prior to the actual crucifixion, Bargayo said that he would be nailed on the cross to re-enact what Christ did to save humanity, likewise feeling the pain Christ felt.
Will Davies, 60, an adventurer from South Wales and an American television host, said Bargayo invited him to see the spectacle.
"I think really it's about respect, it's not about what I feel. I was invited to do it by Gilbert and I have a lot of respect for what he's doing, but his belief in his faith is unquestionable," said Davies.
Being a frequent visitor in the Philippines, he said "the faith of the people is just incredible."
He said that although Catholicism is "a religion that was brought here and not born here and seeing from one side to the other" really amazed him.
For his part, Tuburan Mayor Aljun Diamante was quick to negate claims that Bargayo was doing the crucifixion for a fee.
Diamante said that during the last quarter of 2012, he personally approached Bargayo if he could do the crucifixion in Tuburan.
He said Bargayo only asked him to help build his chapel in Carcar City, which the mayor willingly did.
"Among paningkamotan nga ma-sustain namo every year. Akong gihangyo si Gilbert nga mientras magpalansang siya ari sa Tuburan," Diamante said.
Fr. Nestor Soriano, parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, said "we are not encouraging people to inflict pain para mag-show sa atong faith, para mag-usab ta".
He has no say about the activity because it was organized by the local government unit.
Soriano said that doing sacrifice, penitence and penance should not be done during the Holy Week alone it should be done continuously for we could not be saved by it alone.
"Kay di man ta maluwas kung usa ka season ra, kinahanglan nga continuous gyud, magpadayon gyud," he said.
Yuri Tsoy, a Russian based photojournalist for The Chief Times, said he did not have any idea of the event but he read articles about Bargayo's crucifixion so he went to Tuburan to see it.
Grace Gallarde, a local resident, said "morag nilambo ang pagtuo diri, ok man sad, pero medyo naa gyud siya’y artistic way sa pagpalansang, artistic way gyud nang iyaha, tinud-anay man gyud nga ilansang siya".
Mamerta Montebon also said "kapait huna-hunaon sakit kaayo palandungon, sakit gyud sa masakit, pait kaayo ang kahimtang sa tawo nga maingon ana, ilansang pa magpadupa makatulo gyud ang atong luha". (FREEMAN)