Under a scorching sun on Good Friday, hundreds came out to watch Roman soldiers whip and push a bloodied Jesus Christ as he carried a wooden cross down V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City.
A cast of 200 community actors performed the 18th Buhing Kalbaryo street which started at the San Nicolas Parish ground and ended in a mock crucifixion scene at the Guadalupe parish church yard.
The passion play started at 10:30 a.m.
Past 2 p.m. the street drama, with songs and spoken lines, was positioned at the Guadalupe parish for the most dramatic scenes of the play.
Among the cast was former Cebu city councilor Joy Pesquera, who played Mother Mary, weeping as the body of the slain Christ was taken down and laid in her arms.
Pesquera said it was the first time for her to act on stage. With only three weeks to prepare for the role, she said she intensified her prayers to do justice to the part.
“I only prayed that I could approximate the pain Mother Mary experienced upon seeing her son on the cross and seeing Jesus Christ die. I did that so I could feel how Mary’s suffering,” she said later.
Jesus Christ was portrayed by Raffy Anor. His arms were tied on the cross in lieu of nails.