Thursday, April 05, 2007 Serna: Ready for the Holy Week? By Roger Serna Sounds and images
IT'S this particular time of the year again, when we are given the chance to be alone and perhaps be able to look back at the immediate past and reflect over the things we had done and had failed to do.
This could be the reason why people choose to commune with nature, some go to the beach while others go up the mountains. The chance to refresh one’s self in the cool, clear waters of the sea or, if one gets lucky, of springs, rivers, lakes and the like, can be an added blessing but should not be the primary reason why we go to these places in the first place.
However, if the reason is for pleasure and relaxation, that’s your own decision and we cannot do anything about it.
There are also some who prefer to be in the comfort of their own homes to do the reflections and directly communicate to the Almighty. In between, bonding sessions with the rest of the clan and family, and perhaps even with long lost friends make the brief respite from the usual grind more meaningful and memorable.
This year, an invitation to visit the shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus located somewhere in Brgy. Obispo, Calubian, Leyte came my way courtesy of buddy Rey Martinez of Mandaue City.
The invitation was first conveyed two years ago, but it is only this year that I got the chance to honor it. As most vacationers do, I must see to it that I have the materials I need for the trip—like a camera, some reading materials, a phone with built-in radio (I don’t have the luxury of an iPod, huhuhu!) and other basic necessities.
It’s a religious shrine that I’m going to visit, so I’m pretty sure that the spiritual side of the trip will be accomplished. That way, the real purpose of the Holy Week break will not be lost in the whirl of events that will follow.
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The initial plan of the organizers of the annual reenactment of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ that ended with His death atop Mt. Calvary now popularly known as Buhing Kalbaryo in barangay Guadalupe was to tap the services of nationally-known (and internationally, too!) Cebuano artists Dulce, Sheryn Regis and Raki Vega, among others, to play significant roles in the said passion play.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama would have also played another colorful character in the play. This was divulged to me by renowned and award-winning director and playwright Alvan Claude Evangelio who is at the helm of the play for the nth time.
However, because of the elections, VM Rama cannot be a part of the play. The services of the divas have also been shelved to avoid controversies. Despite this development, Buhing Kalbaryo will still be a spectacle to watch as it had been for the past years now.
Some people have even made it a point to watch it every Good Friday. For the young actors of Guadalupe and nearby barangays (you’ll be amazed at their interest and dedication during rehearsals), it has become some sort of a vow to be part of the activity.
They not only made good use of their vacant time, they were also given the opportunity to have a better and deeper understanding of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Two actors, Mark Escuyos and Lance Leviste had been rehearsing for the role of Jesus Christ and both have signified their desire to be nailed to the cross. Two more actors (the ones playing the thieves Dimas and Hestas) have also expressed their desires.
With the length of time for rehearsals under the watchful eyes of director Al, whoever will be finally chosen to play Jesus tomorrow will surely be able to give justice to the role.
Be among the many who will see first hand the said reenactment which will start at the Cebu City Sports Center and end right in front of the Guadalupe church.
