Cebu’s Holy Week rituals invariably include a real life crucifixion featuring Gilbert Bargayo.When he performed his 15th dramatic sacrifice on Good Friday, this time in the cool outdoor setting of Cristo Rey Mountain Park in Mantalongon, Dalaguete town, not all locals were happy. The parish priest of San Isidro Labrador in Matalongon did not approve of Bargayo’s reenactment, said Dolly Salvacion, a nun assigned at the parish. Crucifixion and public flagellation, some of the bizarre rituals seen on Holy Week, are considered a secular activity and frowned upon by the Catholic Church. The nun said that if a person wants to sacrifice on that day, that is not the way to go about it. The “Pasyon sa Mantalongon” was witnessed by close to 6,000 people. The crowd included out-of-town visitors like film school students, both local and foreign. Dalaguete is located 85 kilometers south of Cebu City. Mantalongon barangay captain Roel Reynes complained that event organizers didn’t seek the barangay’s permission in holding the activity. Reynes said promotional campaigns should not take advantage of the Good Friday crowd. He said traditional church-led Good Friday activities like the procession and Siete Palabras recitation of the last words of Jesus Christ are what’s important. He said the Bargayo crucifixion was an insult to them because it did not show respect for their traditions. Reynes, however, denied spreading word that he would stop the staging of the Pasyon sa Mantalongon. The local police fielded ten policemen to monitor the activity. Police Insp. Reyman Tolentino, Dalaguete police chief, said he got wind of reports that some quarters had threatened to disrupt the event. “We try to mediate because the organizers (of the Pasyon) and the barangay captain are in conflict,” Tolentino said. Uncertain of whether to take the threats seriously, event organizers only made Bargayo appear in the first and second stations of the 14-station Way of the Cross. Doris Mongaya of PR Works, said they were also concerned of Bargayo’s health since he recently recovered from chicken pox. Another actor took Bargayo’s place in walking the the 1.8 kilometer route to Cristo Rey Mountain Park from the vicinity of the old cross in Villa Caridad. Bargayo again appeared at the 10th station at the foot of the park. From there, he completed the walk to the highest slope for his crucifixion. Bargayo agreed to have his 15th crucifixion in Mantalongon on the invitation of Joe Canton, the Cristo Rey Mountain Park administrator, and in cooperation with the municipal government. A female spectator fainted at the sight of his blood after the nails pierced Bargayo’s feet. He stayed on the wooden cross for almost 20 minutes. Bargayo’s crucifixion was staged in Mantalongon to promote public awareness of the park as a pilgrimage site and of Mantalongon as a tourist destination. She said the park will be developed to make it a tourist attraction. While spectators gathered to witness the event, hundreds of Roman Catholic believers also gathered at the San Isidro parish church a kilometer away, to attend confession and listen to the Siete Palabras mediations aired over the raid from the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City. Townfolk aso stayed for the traditional late afternoon procession of the Santo Entiero. Police and barangay tanods were at the church grounds to secure the religious activity. | 
