The bloody tradition of re-enacting the crucifixion of Christ has returned to the Philippines on this year's Good Friday. It had been cancelled for three years due to Covid-19.
15,000 onlookers are estimated to have watched the hundred or so faithful that celebrated the Passion of Christ by scourging themselves to the point of blood, some even nailing themselves to a cross.
In the cities of San Juan and San Pedro, hundreds of bare-chested men walked the streets flogging themselves and splashing blood on passers-by.
Among those crucified in San Juan was Wilfredo Salvador, 66, who was nailed to the cross by his hands and feet for several minutes. Almost routine for this former fisherman, who explains that he started being crucified about 15 years ago following a nervous breakdown.
In the nearby town of San Pedro, 62-year-old Ruben Enaje, for his part, counts more than 30 crucifixions. “I feel good, I have no more worries or fears,” he confided, his hands and feet bandaged, after being declawed.
Credit: Flickr
The tradition has been ongoing for decades but has not been without serious criticism. Health authorities regularly warn of the risks of infection, particularly tetanus, with the Catholic Church considering the ritual to be inappropriate and having disowned the tradition.
