Bargayo offers ‘sacrifice’ for peace
Fifty-eight-year-old Gilbert Bargayo will be crucified again on Good Friday for the 24th time.
Bargayo, who has been submitting himself to live crucifixion every Good Friday since 1989, will repeat his agony using real nails on March 30 in Tuburan town, northwest of Cebu.
This has been his way of striving to lead a cleaner life after he swore off drugs and alcohol in his 20s when he joined a charismatic group.
But this year, Bargayo hopes that his “sacrifice” would somehow make people, including politicians, realize to always strive for goodness and peace.
To attain real progress, he said, politicians should help each other instead of turning against and fighting with each other.
He said abundance and grace may pour in again once the people and government officials are united, saying conflicts would only lead to regression and war.
He said people whose lives are mired in vices should also change their lives for the better.
“Kinahanglan ang mga tawo mobalik sa kamaayo ug bag-ohon na ilang kinabuhi,” he told The FREEMAN over a phone interview.
Bargayo, a native of Tacloban City who is residing in Carcar City, said he took the courage of transforming his life by avoiding sinful acts and now he become an advocate against illegal drugs.
He shared that some “criminals” and “drug addicts” are seeking refuge in his prayers so that they too can overcome and fight off the temptation of sin.
He recalled that he had constant dreams of God telling him to submit himself to be crucified on the cross before. But he dreamed of re-enacting Jesus’ death on the cross when he was 17 years old while still mired in vices like drugs and alcohol.
Having himself nailed to a cross has been Bargayo’s yearly commitment since 1989. It started in his birthplace.
He also did the reenactment of the scene at the Calvary in Carcar City, Barangay Mantalongon in Dalaguete town, and in Barangays Guadalupe and Duljo Fatima in Cebu City.
But he vowed to be crucified in Tuburan after the incumbent mayor there fulfilled his longcherished dream of having a chapel at his hometown in Barangay Guadalupe in Carcar.
He said he took a three-year break from the practice in 2008 due to health reasons and resumed in 2012.
As the Holy Week draws near, Bargayo is now preparing for the bloody act. The 40-day fasting is part of his preparation.
He said he also subjects himself to solemn prayers and deep reflections.
Bargayo will perform the sorrows of Christ from the scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns to carrying the cross and being crucified on it.
On Good Friday, Catholics commemorate Jesus Christ’s passion, crucifixion, and death at Mount Calvary as narrated in the Christian Bible.
KBQ