Corner Images: Holy Week in the Philippines

The Calvary of Christ

I didn’t realize that my planned vacation trip will coincide on Holy Week, It was my youngest daughter’s birthday in my mind when I do the booking. But since I was in Phil during the Lenten season, I took the opportunity to see the crucifixion rites held annually in San Fernando, Pampanga.

I wasn’t born a Catholic and so the understanding of people doing self-flagellation and wanting to be crucified was beyond me. Even the Catholic church told that they do not encourage this type of penance and devotion. There are several ways to commemorate the sacrifices made by the Lord and whipping one’s body and being crucified are not one of them.

wounds created by self whipping...

But as the bizarre tradition of this city still exist, people from other places, and even other countries keep on coming to personally witness the authenticity of the rituals. Some can’t help but to wonder and ask “what in the world these people are doing to themselves?” As more and more foreigners are seen each year, someone beside me mentioned that their numbers were doubled from last year. A tourist attraction in the work?

a red hooded penitent carrying a cross...

There was a shaded area with seating arrangement that said was reserved for VIP’s just to see later a few buses loaded with tourists who would want to witness the play from the VIP stand. Wow! Looks like the devotion of the flagellants were used by the business people and local government as another way to create funds (money).

Enough with the business opportunists, I came here to personally witness the ritual by some devotees who came from different places of the country. I am just not sure why they chose this place in San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga for their sacrifice. Perhaps they had watched this old movie and still believe that there’s a miracle to happen. ” Walang Himala!!”.

The photos below will show the sequence of what had happened during that Holy Friday.