In this scene from Buhing Kalbaryo 2016, cast members reenact Jesus’ crucifixion and death at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City — the traditional site of the play’s climax. This year, however, organizers had to find a new venue for the final act of the play as the church grounds were no longer available for them. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Ian Fuentes was only 16 years old when he first joined Buhing Kalbaryo, an annual reenactment of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. He first played the role of a Roman soldier who tormented Jesus.
Eventually, he got to play bigger roles: Judas, King Herod and also, Satan.
Two decades later, Fuentes, now 37, takes on the bigger task of being assistant director of the production which is staged every Good Friday in Cebu City.
Although he has done that for the past three years, this time, Fuentes will direct almost all parts of the play; and he was looking forward to the challenge.
“This has been my panata (devotion) especially that Buhing Kalbaryo has greatly helped my life,” he said.
A high school graduate, Fuentes was not able to get a college degree due to poverty.
But the play, which was then supported by the city government, gave him a chance to work in city hall as a job order employee.
“I was hired as an electrician in city hall because of Buhing Kalbaryo,” he said, adding that the play also allowed him to meet people who hired him to do odd jobs.
In this scene from Buhing Kalbaryo 2016, cast members reenact Jesus’ crucifixion and death at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City — the traditional site of the play’s climax. This year, however, organizers had to find a new venue for the final act of the play as the church grounds were no longer available for them. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
For Lyntoni Sable, a mother of three, Buhing Kalbaryo is a form of thanksgiving.
“Each cast member has her or his own problem. Joining the play is our way of lifting our problems to Him,” she said.
Sable has been playing the role of King Herod’s wife, Claudia, since 2014 when she first joined the play.
She was worried that she might not be able to join the play this year after giving birth to her third child only last month.
“But this is my devotion. Even if I just gave birth, I attend every practice,” she said.
Buhing Kalbaryo is now on its 20th year.
The play involves at least 160 performers and production members and is done in three different stages.
The first part depicts the days prior to Jesus’ passion, followed by the carrying of the cross and ending with a mock crucifixion at 3 p.m.
The first part takes place on a stage that has been put up at the San Nicolas Parish grounds in Barangay San Nicolas.
As “Jesus” carries his cross, the five-kilometer route to Barangay Guadalupe will be transformed into the different Stations of the Cross.
For 19 years, the play traditionally ended at the grounds of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
A five-kilometer walk from San Nicolas Parish Church to Barangay Guadalupe, along which are several portrayals of Christ’s agonizing way to Calvary, is among the highlights of the annual play. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
But this year, the priests wanted to use the venue for activities which they had lined up on Good Friday, prompting organizers to move the play’s climax to a private lot, just meters away from the church.
Other than losing Guadalupe Church as a venue, organizers also have to deal with the Cebu City government’s decision to withdraw financial support.
Former mayor Michael Rama, over-all chair of Buhing Kalbaryo and arch rival of the current mayor, Tomas Osmeña, said private companies as well as the cast members have stepped up to finance the annual play.
Manang Mila, a vendor at San Nicolas parish, knows little of the hurdles encountered by the play’s organizers this year as she looks forward to Buhing Kalbaryo.
“It has been my tradition to watch the play every year. There were even times when I would not sell just so I could focus on the play,” she said in Cebuano.
As for the cast and crew of Buhing Kalbaryo, they say their strong devotion continues to drive them to work hard on the play inspite of all challenges.
“As long as there are people who support us and there are those who come to watch our presentation, I will continue to be a part of Buhing Kalbaryo,” declared Fuentes.