Original compositions on Sugat sa Guadalupe

CEBU, Philippines - Now on its fifth year, the Sugat sa Guadalupe, the biggest Easter Sunday activity in Cebu City, promises to bring a fresh approach in the reenactment of the meeting of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary by coming up with musical performances.

 â€œLast year, ang atong musical parts mga hinuwaman nga mga kanta sa gawas ug sulod sa nasud. This time, ang atong musical parts mugamit na ug original compositions. Atong ipakita unsa gyud kadako ang pagsakripisyo sa Ginoo natong tanan,” explained production director Aljin Abaquita.

 Abaquita added that spectators will expect a surprise “crowd drawer” but declined to name it as a “negotiation” is still ongoing.

 This year’s Sugat sa Guadalupe is entitled “Kopa Sa Kasakitan” which will deliver a sophisticated mechanical stage and over 100 angels participating.

 For the past two years, GMA-7 reporter and Buena Mano host Lou Anne Mae Rondina participated as the lead angel but Abaquita explained that the TV personality has not confirmed if she will reprise the same role for this year.

 During a press conference yesterday with officials of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, actors were also around in costumes portraying different biblical characters related to the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the main celebration during the Holy Week.

 Compared to last year’s presentations which tackled on the different characters of a person, this year’s focus is on public life and public ministry.

 â€œDili tanan nato musimba, mangumpisal. Evangelize these people. Buta giayo sa Ginoo. Mas mapasabot ang . Pagpasaylo ni Sta Magdalena,” Abaquita explained.

 Parish pastoral council president Ricardo Delos Reyes stressed that this year’s performance is still part of the fund-raising efforts for the completion of the parish convent, which he described to be 60 percent complete.

 â€œAng proceeds karon para gihapon sa padayon nga pagtukod sa atong kumbento. Total cost project new convent is P70,970, 848. As of March 31, we already paid P6.425 million so duna pa tay balance nga P11.492 million. Since 60 percent na ang nahuman, duna pa tay kuwang nga mga 40 percent,” Delos Reyes said breaking down the financial and construction status of the convent project.

 The Palm Sunday performance will still be directed by Abaquita and will take place on April 13, 8 a.m. which will last for 35 minutes.

 This year’s stage, according to Abaquita, will be 40 by 55 feet with an elevation of five feet.

 Sugat Sa Guadalupe started in 2010 and generated P765,740 in solicitations and sponsorships with total expenses of P313,607, leaving net proceeds of P452,000.

 â€œWala pa nagsugod ang kumbento project. Bagong tuig pa to sa pag abot ni Msgr. Montecillo. Una natong proyekto gikan sa unang sugat mao ang atong CR. For how many years, walay tarong CR,” Delos Reyes said.

 Year 2011 was the start of the new parish convent project which initial finances were sourced from that year’s Sugat performance and the weekly collection of roughly around P20,000.

 The following year, Sugat raised P453,000 which was deducted with the P245,000, leaving a net fund of P208,000 which was used in the construction of new convent project.

Last year has the lowest turnout with only P288,000, which was deducted with P227,000, leaving a net profit of P61,626.—(FREEMAN)