No nails, but scorching sun tests actors in Buhing Kalbaryo

UNDER a scorching noonday  sun, actors playing Roman soldiers and  Jews walked a five-kilometer route in Cebu City to portray the last hours of Jesus Christ.

The Good Friday passion play drew hundreds of spectators.

Most of them waited by the road in front of their houses or at the final destination, a stage in the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish.

“Jesus Christ” played by actor Mark Escuyos was tied  and hoisted on a cross in the final crucifixion scene.

It was Escuyos sixth time to play Jesus, no longer using nails as he did in 2007 and 2008 when an overlooked dose of anesthesia stopped the practice of a true-to-life crucifixion.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he was happy with the performance and that he can now leave the organizers “on their own”.

He was instrumental in helping start   Buhing Kalbaryo (Live Calvary) as part Catholic devotion and part community theater 15 years ago.

Rama said that while the same plot unfolds each year, it reminds everyone of  Christ’s sacrifice to save mankind.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, who attends the  Passion street play every year, walked from the staging area in San Nicolas Parish to the Guadalupe parish grounds.

Gloria Villarojo, this year’s executive producer, said a better sound system  and “cohesive” performance helped deliver a clearer message.

Hundreds of spectators gathered outside the San Nicolas Church where the  play started and at the Guadalupe Church for the final crucifixion scene.

The annual Lenten drama was  a joint production of Buhing Pasko Association Inc., Cebu city government, Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, barangays  San Nicolas Proper, Calamba and Guadalupe.

A  cast of almost 200 volunteer actors came from barangays in Cebu City  and rehearsed for two months at Plaza Sugbo under the direction of Archie Modequillo, his second time to direct it.

Most had experience in previous Buhing Kalbaryo productions.

Familiarity with the roles allowed them to focus on “characterization” and  “giving more details” on how  to portray varied emotions, he said.

The play started at the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish grounds and opened with the scene of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus on a stage mounted in front of the church. It ended with  Judas Escariot’s suicide.

This was followed by a Way of the Cross trailing the  stretch of V. Rama Avenue.

The first to tenth stations were done in the streets with the singing of “Diyos Namo sa Kaluoy” and an emotional reading of reflections.

Due to the scorching heat of the sun,  only a few devotees walked with the actors.

Residents along the route waited in front of their homes while more spectators went  ahead to the final venue of the play at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish./Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua