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Crucified Senakulo actor takes beer to fight wound infection
An actor from a Senakulo or Passion play in Bacolor, Pampanga nurses his wounds with a trusty glass of beer.
Nyong Virey decided to be crucified again on Good Friday after a two-year hiatus, inspired by the dedication of his long time friend, Monching Calaguas, who has been nailed to the cross 28 times and still continues to participate in the Senakulo.
Virey himself was a regular player in the Senakulo but stopped for personal reasons three years ago.
On Good Friday 2016, he returned and "performed" in San Guillermo, the "Golgotha" of Bacolor, Pampanga.
After the Senakulo, Virey poured himself a glass of beer.
"I have been into may things. Look at my abdomen, it has a lot scars as a result of fighting with knife. But these scars right now feel so painful. I think I need an antibiotic," he lamented as he continued to sip from his glass
The nails seemed to have hit some nerves in Virey's hands, which according to him is very painful, "I think the alcohol in the beer can heal these as what is usually done ever since I have been doing this."
He shrugs off the pain and the risk of infection, saying, "I just want my parents to be redeemed. If God gives them any disease, He can just inflict it on me."
The early morning crucifixion in San Guillermo happened between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., attended by a few people, mostly relatives of those who chose to continue with the tradition of the reenactment.
The ritual starts by carrying a cross starting two towns away.
In Virey's case, the journey began in Mexico, Pampanga at dusk and concluded in the Parish Church of San Guillermo.
Numerous other Passion Plays were staged in Pampanga, which started in the nearby barrio San Vicente. Among them, Cutud in San Fernando has gained the most popularity. — AT/APG, GMA News
