FOR the 28th time since 1977, the Buhing Kalbaryo is set to be presented on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
The Buhing Kalbaryo, a reenactment of the traditional “Way of the Cross,” will begin from the Cebu City Children’s Park in Barangay Pasil down to Espina Compound in Barangay Guadalupe via the V. Rama road.
This information was divulged by former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama, who was set as the event’s overall chairman, in a press conference on Friday, April 11, 2025.
His wife, Malou Rama, serves as the project overseer while the project consultant is Rudy Aviles.
The event’s director said in the conference that there are changes expected in the opening and closing parts. However, no further details were given.
“Ang opening mao ang pagkabata ni Jesus. Ang among end karon, namatay gihapon siya but in a different way. So, atngan ninyo ang tanan,” the director said. (The opening will be about Jesus’ childhood. The end will still be about his death but in a different way so you have to watch for it.)
Malou said in the press conference that the Buhing Kalbaryo has been an inspiration to her and to the casts.
She added that most of the cast this time are the sons and daughters of the previous casts.
Zero assistance
When asked about the provision of assistance from the City Government, Rama said “zero,” while adding that the event is all about communal effort.
“Karon, zero, zero as in zero… Naa gani pagtuo sa Ginoo, pagsugod pa amo gyud ning gi emphasize ang baranggayan,” said Rama.
“Walay kwarta nga gikan sa City,” he added.
Rama explained that the Buhing Kalbaryo has been a tourist attraction rooting from a spiritual family affair.
“It’s a baranggayan, bayanihan, kapit-bisig, ug boluntarismo. Dili mag-apas nga naay ibayad sa trabaho,” he said. (It’s all about communal effort and volunteerism. We’re not after being paid for our work.)
Moreover, Rama said that it is the first time that the cast underwent a recollection before staging the play. / JPS