The small town of San Pedro Cutud in the Philippines continued its annual tradition of organizing real crucifixions to mark Good Friday, honoring its most prolific carpenter Rubenjeje, with the bloody ritual by 36.
Enaje, 64, told journalists that he expects this to be his last year nailed to a cross, since “he really can’t do it anymore.” It was one of the crucified this year, the highest number in recent memory.
WARNING – Graphic images:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0x-3lqfig8
Good Friday is the Christian feast that observes the day Jesus Christ was crucified and killed. It is part of the Holy Week, the most sacred set of observances in the Christian calendar, and the countdown to Easter begins, the holidays celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
According to the reports, join the crucified this year were around 100 people who made a separate ritual known to the axis Penitensyao Penance, in which Christians walk along those who carry their crosses, complain and receive blows and other blows from other participants.
The practice leaves the faithful participating in PenitensyaMost of men, with backs completely covered with blood and is a form of absolution of sin and an attempt to approach Jesus Christ.
WARNING – Graphic images:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu-2ak6dpcw
Philippines is one of the most Catholic countries in the world, with a Catholic population of almost 80 percent. In addition to Catholics, another 6.5 percent of the Filipinos identify as another denomination of Christians, which means about 85 percent of the Holy Week of the country’s observers and the subsequent Easter holidays.
In accordance with the Filipino ResearcherThe tradition in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga, Begen in 1962, initially with the participants tied to the cross. Enaje, considered the Guardian of the tradition, according to the reports, did not remember when the rope was replaced by real nails. The man, who formally plays Jesus in the work of Passion recreated on Good Friday, began to submit to annual crucifixions in 1986 after falling from a building while working as a carpenter.
WARNING – Graphic images:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l44nla4eum
“While I was falling, I pronounced the words”God ko! ” (“My God!”), And the next thing I knew was on the ground, but completely aware! “Enaje said in a 2020 interview. In fact, when I was on the ground, I did not stand immediately thinking that I broke my legs and body, but after a few moments I discovered that I was fine. I owe my life to Jesus, that’s why every Good Friday I have to submit to the crucifixion ritual.”
Enaje told the Agrance France-Presse (AFP) that he hopes that this year will be the last one on the cross.
“I really can’t do it anymore. They had to point to portable fans towards me before just breathing,” he explained. The departure pointed out that the part of the duration of the procession, enajo, “fell through a embankment” after being pushed by a participant who portrays a Roman soldier. Enaje has hinted at retirement last year, however, just to return.
“I will try to participate in the ritual next year, but if not, I know that anyone will take my place and the tradition continues,” DPA International cited Caja as a statement.
Original file/subtitle/Ruben Enaje holds the nails that will be used to nail it on the cross in San Pedro Cutud, Philippines, March 18, 2016. It is allowing to be nailed on the cross for 31 years this Easter. (Girlie Linao/Picture Alliance through Getty Images)
This year, Enaje named a successor to portray Jesus during the passion game in 2026: Arnold Maniago, who was crucified by 24th this year.
The carpenter and his successor are far from being the only participant who has crucified the bones for many years in a row. Another veteran who participated on Sunday was Wilfredo Salvador, who endured his 17th crucifixion, and Fernando Mamangun, who was crucified for the 29th time. Mamangun’s son, Rolando, was crucified for the second time this year. Arnold Pangilinan was the only participant who the Inquirer identified as first crucified.
Many of the participants do it to ask God health, security for their family or other personal intentions. In 2024, Enaje said he no longer prayed for anything for himself “because the Lord has given me everything I have asked for, many jobs for my family.”
This year, temperatures in San Pedro Cutud reached 39ºC, or approximately 102ºF, a significant health risk for medium -sized men and older who generally participate in crucifixions. According to reports, recreation lasted more than two hours. He Filipina Star He documented the hospitalization of at least one participant, task in an ambulance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5ytdxskas
Pampanga crucified ten people in 2024, including many repeated participants. Tradition has increased in popularity since its cancellation under President Rodrigo Duterte, supposedly as an attempt to limit the spread of Coronavirus Wuhan in 2020 and 2021. Duterte, currently in the trial of Humanst discriminated against Catholics encouraged the Philippines to kill the bishops, and claimed to have been abused by an impact as a child.
In marked contrast, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who successful Duterte, offered a letter but a solemn message marking on Good Friday.
“On Good Friday, we remember the sacrifice that defined faith, compassion and forgiveness. That this day is the strength and orientation for each Filipina family,” he said in a statement.
While Pampanga’s crucifixion tradition is unique in the country, services to observe the place of toks of Good Friday in the Philippines. In San Miguel, Bulacan, the locals participated in penance rituals and similarly recreated the passion.
“The recreation presented to the locals that interpret new soldiers and mockers, following the path of Jesus towards the Calvary symbolized by the church of the houses of San Isidro Labrador,” explained the Filipino Abs-CBN exit. “While marching, a man with a megaphone delivered a script mixed with mockery, improving the realism of the performance.”
“People need to see this, so you can wake up to do good,” said a participant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn2vrnvdong
In Manila, the believers gathered in the church of the Queizo for a tradition in honor of Jesus and Mary, the “sad mother”, with elaborate art that marks the passion.
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