City Gov’t Sets ‘Penitential Ride’ on April 2

(Cebu City Government PIO) — The Cebu City Government through the Office of Councilor Gerardo “Gerry” Carillo will hold the 2015 Penitential Ride on April 2 Maundy Thursday.

In an interview with the BARUGG News, Josephine Auxtero, the activity in-charge from Councilor Carillo’s Office shared that all is set for the first-ever Penitential Ride.

Auxtero further enthuses that Mayor Michael L Rama in their meeting Monday night at the Mayor’s Conference Office together with the project proponents has gave the green light signal to push through with the activity provided that safety measures will be followed.

Among the safety measures will be the wearing of safety gears, presence of medical team, ambulances, marshals, security personnel, and traffic enforcers, among others.

Looking back, Mayor Rama was upset about how the bike run activity went during the Earth Hour celebration last March 28 Saturday night citing safety and security that as if the thousands of bikers who participated in the event owns the road. He initially ordered to put on hold the Penitential Ride unless safety measures will be set and followed.

The Penitential Ride, the term coined for a Holy Week long ride supposed to be a long and hard just like when a priest ordered you to complete the Stations of the Cross as penance for grave sins. It also promotes the healthy and earthly body to promote healthy lifestyles, to enjoy rather than compete and to extend the camaraderie among the participants.

The activity seeks to visit at least 14 major churches comprising the city such as the Santo Niño Church, Saint Joseph Mabolo, St. Therese Lahug, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Remedios Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Holy Cross Basak Pardo, Santo Tomas De Villanueva, San Roque, San Nicolas De Tolentino, Santo Rosario, Redemptorist, Sacred Heart, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

The Penitential Ride which will kick off at 4 o’clock dawn at the Plaza Sugbo is open to everyone with a registration fee of P30 each for the Identification Card and the first 100 registrants will get free shirt. At least 200 members of the Sugbo Bikers will join in the activity.

Meanwhile, interested party may coordinate with the Office of Councilor Carillo at the Second Floor of Legislative Building in Cebu City Hall or contact at Telephone Number 254-3521.

Furthermore, in celebration with the Holy Week, the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday which falls on April 2 and 3 respectively this year is a holiday. The city will also showcase the 18th Buhing Kalbaryo or the dramatization of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ or the “Passion of Christ” on Good Friday from San Nicolas De Tolentino Church passing through the V. Rama Avenue to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. (Cebu City Public Information Office PIO/Greggy Jiggs P. Senados)