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WARNING: This gallery contains graphic images that some viewers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised
Travel Reportage: Good Friday Crucifixions in the Philippines –
I went back to my home country, the Philippines, a week before Easter during what they call the “Holy Week” to document this important tradition that dates back hundreds of years ago.
Penitents in the Philippines emulate the sufferings of Jesus during Holy Week to atone sins or pray for their sick love ones. Some carry crosses and some scourge their wounded backs as they make their procession around their village stopping at each station, where devotees sing the “Pasyón”, the Philippine epic narrative of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And on Good Friday, in the town of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga thousands gather to witness nine men as they are crucified to the cross by villagers dressed as Roman Centurions as part of the Holy Friday rituals. Ruben Enaje, 51, who plays “Kristo” is among those nine men. According to Enaje, he started doing this in the early 80s as a thanksgiving to God after surviving a fall from a five-story building. He believes he was given another chance at life by God. Though the Catholic Church discourages this practice, many Filipinos still continue this tradition in many provinces around the country.
A penitent gets his back wounded with sharp blades before he starts scourging his back as part of his Holy Week sacrifice.
Flagellants (magdarame) make their procession around the village with bleeding backs to fulfill religious vows or to do penance for their sins on Holy Friday.
Ruben Enaje, 51, of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga carries the cross as he plays “Kristo” during the Holy Friday rituals in Pampanga, Philippines. Enaje, who is among nine men nailed to the cross on Friday, started doing this in the early 80s as a thanksgiving to God after surviving a fall from a building. He is in his 30th year of the crucifixion.
The nails they used are sterilized for days.
Ruben Enaje, 51, of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga is crucified to the cross by villagers dressed as Roman Centurions during the Holy Friday rituals in Pampanga, Philippines.
Spectators go up to higher grounds to get a good glimpse of the “Kristo”.
Thousands of people gathered to witness the annual crucifixions in Pampanga commemorating Good Friday as they re-enact Jesus Christ’s suffering.
A boy looks at the nail on Ramil Lazaro’s hand while he is being crucified to the cross by villagers dressed as Roman Centurions during the Holy Friday rituals in Pampanga, Philippines.
A man dressed as a Roman Centurion takes a break during the crucifixion rituals in Pampanga, Philippines.
Although this practice is being discouraged by the modern Catholic Church, thousands of faithful still continue these traditions in many provinces around the country with the belief that their sins will be forgiven by doing such extreme sacrifices. While some ask for God’s forgiveness for their sins, there are also others who participate in these rituals to fulfill vows (panata), or simply to express gratitude for favors they received from God.
