DESPITE overcast clouds threatening to rain on the faithful, about 6,000 people attended the Sugat sa Guadalupe, yesterday’s Easter Sunday dawn production in barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
The sugat or meeting was held after the Easter vigil Mass ended at 11 p.m. on Black Saturday.
Devotees accompanied the image of Jesus Christ from Banawa corner while the carosa of the Mater Dolorosa (Sorrowful Mother) came from sitio Sandayong, behind the church.
The procession highlights the “meeting” of the Virgin Mary and the Resurrected Christ based on church tradition that Jesus first showed himself to his mother after the resurrection.
An “angel” played by by local TV broadcaster Lou Anne Mae Rondina guided other little cherubs.
Columbus Camposo played the role of Jesus Christ for the 12th year.
Msgr. Jose Montecillo, parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is known for staging grand Easter Sunday presentations in parishes he has handled in Pardo, Cebu City, Argao town, and now Guadalupe.
A cast of 50 “angels” with 130 actors and production staff was directed by Aljin Abaquita, radio and TV broadcaster.
Ticket sales will be used to finish construction of the parish convent.
As of 6 p.m., organizers said they raised P392,510 in the event. After deducting the cost of props and logistics, there’s P164,676.25 for the convent project, said Ricardo delos Reeys, president of the Guadalupe parish pastoral council.
He estimated that 6,000 watched the spectacle.
At the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, a reenactment of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was held on a large stage outside the church.
The “Sugat sa Katedral” stage play ended with the procession of images of the risen Christ meeting his mother leading to the Easter Mass celebrated in the cathedral by Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. /Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua and Ador Vincent Mayol