‘Buhing Kalbaryo’ gets bigger crowd

As was expected, thousands witnessed the reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Our Lady of Guadalupe for Cebu City's yearly "Buhing Kalbaryo" play on Good Friday.

Now on its 19th year, Buhing Kalbaryo is a stage play that traces the journey of Jesus to crucifixion.

Elmer "Jojo" Labella, Cebu City Public Information Office supervisor and one of the organizers, said this year's play has gathered more people. Last year, 6,000 witnessed the play.

"Mas daghan gyod karon. One thing I'm happy and fulfilled about this is, every year, the numbers of those who are attending is really growing. It grows for about 20 to 30 percent each year," he said. An estimated 7,000 watched this year's play. The play started at 10:30 a.m. at San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish on C. Padilla Street where 120 actors reenacted the events prior to Jesus' death. At past 1 p.m., Jesus' penitential walk with his cross have commenced from San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish to V. Rama Avenue until the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu Parish Church.

Except for some technical glitches, Labella said the production went smoothly and the actors were particularly fulfilled by the positive reactions from the crowd, especially the scene where Jesus was being whipped and was covered in blood.

Anticipating a bigger crowd, he said they purchased brand new lapel microphones this year to provide better audio.

"It's really successful. But the only problem was the technical side especially when this area (in front of the stage) was not supposed to be being invaded by the crowd, and that's the cause of the audio malfunction because some of the transmitters were covered by the crowd and the function of the wireless microphone was no longer functioning," he said.

He admitted that they did not receive enough financial support from the city government but still made do of what they have with help from the private sector.

Raffy Anor, 26, an out-of-school youth played Jesus this year. He said portraying the life of Jesus and joining Buhing Kalbaryo is his solemn promise to God every Holy Week. He has portrayed Jesus for five years now.

"Preparations nako kay dili mag sige og syagit para dili pagawon ug tubig ra gyod kontra's init," he said.

"Mao na gyod ni akong panata nga mo-apil gyod og Buhing Kalbaryo kada tuig," he said.

Mayor Michael Rama, the founder of Buhing Kalbaryo, congratulated everyone who contributed to the success of the stage play.

"Buhing Kalbaryo will always be a growing and continuing improvement," he said, adding that he wants his son, Mikel, to continue overseeing the play.

"Every year of Buhing Kalbaryo is a growing year. Every year of Buhing Kalbaryo is always a challenge and a struggle," he added.

Rama said he was not surprised that many foreigners witnessed the play, among whom were Ilona Vierveijzer and Marleen Verhagen from the Netherlands.

"It was very impressive. We don't really have anything like this back home so it was really impressive to see the community and the whole of the people doing the play together," Vierveijzer said.

The two said they want to watch the play again someday.—

Jean Marvette A, Demecillo/JMO