Cebu City OKs in-person Lenten rites

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has approved the holding of traditional Lenten activities as the number of COVID cases in the city continues to drop and more residents have been fully vaccinated.

No physical Holy Week activity was held in the city in the past two years at the height of the pandemic.

The weeklong Lenten activities started yesterday with the blessing of the new “Via Crucis” (Stations of the Cross) standees along V. Rama Avenue.

Rama’s spokesperson Karla Henry said ”Buhing Kalbaryo,” a street play depicting the Passion of Christ, would also return.

The play will be performed on Good Friday at the San Nicolas church grounds.

Aside from a tableau depicting scenes from Stations of the Cross, a  reenactment of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, including his  seven last words, will also be held.

“Preparations are ongoing in ensuring crowd control in these events and observance of minimum health protocols,” Henry said.

She urged Cebuanos to remain vigilant, saying living in the new normal should be a shared responsibility of all sectors.