CALABANGA, Camarines Sur -- Some 200,000 people from the neighboring towns of Bombon, Magarao and Canaman and Naga City some 15 kilometers  away are expected to do the traditional sacrificial walk today to the “Hinulid Shrine,” the 18th century icon of the crucified Christ in Bgy. Sta. Salud here.

Mayor Evelyn Yu said since early this month security and traffic measures have been laid out by the local government, augmented by some 100 personnel from the Philippine National Police, the Army and barangay volunteers to man major roads in barangays Del Carmen, Sta. Salud, Sta. Isabel and San Miguel, and other barangays near the shrine.

This is the 18th year of the old tradition of the passion street play dubbed “An Pasiyon Ni Kristo 2011” to be staged with the biggest cast of some 200 actors, composed of pedicab-drivers, young professionals, out-of-school-youths, and the college drama guild “SAMBIT” of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Calabanga campus.

Rodelio Perez, assistant director of the play, said the Calabanga passion  play was initiated in 1993 by the Parish Youth Ministry under then Rev. Rey Jose Rellora, with a cast of only 40 persons.

Perez said since then the play had gained support mostly from former members now working abroad. This year’s scenes are more detailed: Agony in the Garden; the Crucifixion at a locally molded hill, and the Rise of Christ on Easter Sunday.

Since last year, the crucifixion scenes became more realistic with Roman centurions riding horses, clad in fiber-glass helmets, leather vests and metallic shields and armor leading Christ’s march to the Calvary.

This year, Christ is played by 21 year-old drama guild actor Michael Galero, a student of the BSUA, who played Christ for two years.