CEBU, Philippines - When Gilbert Bargayo gets himself nailed on the cross for the 23rd time on April 14, Good Friday, he hopes that millennials will be reminded of Jesus’ suffering and death.
At 57, Bargayo believes he still has the energy to endure the seven-hour act of devotion that will see him whipped on his way to the “Calvary” in Tuburan town in the western strip of Cebu, before getting suspended on the cross with the use of four six-inch nails under the sweltering summer sun.
His intention this year? For the lost souls, especially those of the young, to find their way back to Christ.
“I’ve done this for a long time because I simply want young people to appreciate Jesus’ suffering and death,” Bargayo said in Cebuano during an exclusive interview with The FREEMAN in his small hut in Barangay Poblacion 1 Cogon, Carcar City yesterday.
“I want them to realize how much Jesus loves them, to the point where he died for their sins,” he added.
Preparations
Minutes into the interview, Bargayo excused himself, entered into his room, and came back bringing what he described was his crucifixion starter kit — a crown of real thorns from a tree locally known as “aryuma,” four nails each measuring about six inches, and a black whip around a meter in length.
Bargayo explained that his nails are specially made for his crucifixion; one cannot buy them from the hardware.
The nails are originally piston rods from car engines, that, when hammered well, become long, stainless nails that can help him withstand being crucified for hours without worrying about getting tetanus.
Beside the long nails was a large wooden mallet that will be used by a nephew to drive the nails on Bargayo’s feet and hands come Good Friday.
As part of his preparations, Bargayo has also been fasting for 40 days now, with fruits becoming a central part of his daily diet.
There were no signs of fear, worry, or reluctance on Bargayo’s face. Having done this 22 times in the past, he was sure that after enduring the excruciating pain of getting four nails rip through his muscles and having himself suspended on the cross for hours, he would come out as a renewed and stronger person, physically and spiritually.
Bargayo has had himself crucified at several different locations through the years — first in his hometown Tacloban City, then in Barangays Duljo-Fatima and Guadalupe in Cebu City, and even in Cainta, Rizal in Luzon.
It will be the third consecutive year that he will get himself crucified in Tuburan.
He said his ritual will begin at 8 a.m. on Good Friday, following the 14 Stations of the Cross.
At around 12 noon, Bargayo is expected to be crucified, followed by the re-enactment of the Siete Palabras or the Seven Last Words.
Bargayo will stay on the cross between 30 minutes and an hour, he said.
The Dream
Before becoming a devout Christian, however, Bargayo admits that in his younger years, he lived a life of vices.
“Niadtong gaskwela pa ko, daghan kaayo ming bisyo sa akong mga barkada, mag-adik-adik mi,” he said.
He said he led a decadent life, until a mysterious figure appeared to him in a dream that prompted him to do his yearly devotion.
The figure, who Bargayo believed was God, told him to “make a sacrifice.”
Bargayo said the figure first appeared to him when he was 16.
Four years later, the dream recurred.
And finally, in 1990, to fulfill God’s wishes, he had his first crucifixion in Tacloban.
Blessed
Bargayo shared he was ridiculed by his friends when he deciding to follow Jesus and to have himself crucified.
“Kadtong nakahibaw sila nga nagpalansangko, niingon sila, ‘Ah, buang man ‘na,” he said.
“Pero daghan na man kong nadawat nga gasa karon. Ug nitarong na man sad ang akong kinabuhi. Kadtong mga amigong nagtamas-tamas nako sa una, ang uban namatay sa bisyo, ang uban daghan na kaayong sakit,” he added.
Aside from his friends, Bargayo has also received criticism from different religious groups, including Catholic clergymen, for his annual crucifixion.
“Ako ra man na silang pasagdan kay wa man pud ko’y mahimo ana,” he said, adding that his devotion is a personal, special covenant between him and God.
Bargayo said he has been blessed throughout his life because of his devotion. In fact, his sari-sari store business has become stable.
In 2013, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante granted his wish of building a small chapel in Carcar.
The chapel, located a kilometer away from his house, is still under construction and is expected be completed on April 27 in time for his birthday, which also happens to be the Feast of the Holy Family.
As Bargayo hits the cross one more time, he will also pray for the future of the country.
“Karong tuiga, magpalansang ko nga naghinaot nga unta giyahan sa Ginoo ang atong mga dagkong opisyal sa nasud,” he said. —/JMD (FREEMAN)