Crucifixion in the Philippines#Reception
{{Short description|Devotional practice in the Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
File:Trio on crosses.jpg observances in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines.]]
Crucifixion in the Philippines is a devotional practice held every Good Friday in imitation of the Crucifixion of Jesus. As part of the local observance of Holy Week, devotees or penitents called magdarame in Kapampangan willingly have themselves crucified to reenact Jesus Christ's suffering and death, while related practices include carrying wooden crosses, crawling on rough pavement, and self-flagellation. Penitents consider these acts to be mortification of the flesh, and undertake these to ask forgiveness for sins, to fulfil a panatà (Filipino, "vow"), or to express gratitude for favours granted. In the most famous case, Ruben Enaje drives four-inch nails into both hands and feet and then he is lifted on a wooden cross for around five minutes.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/19/asia/philippines-crucifixion-practice-33rd-year-trnd/index.html|title=Every year a Filipino man marks Good Friday with an actual crucifixion. He just did it for the 33rd time|publisher=CNN|date=March 25, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2019}}
San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando
File:Cutud Lenten Rites.jpg in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga. There are three crosses with nailed men on the top of the hill with spectators, both local and foreigners, watching them.]]
File:Resolute guy on the cross.jpg on his 25th annual crucifixion.]]
The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites are a re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and crucifixion held in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga. It includes a passion play, culminating in the actual nailing of at least three penitents to wooden crosses atop a makeshift Calvary.
- Ruben Enaje has been crucified 36 times as of 2025.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-18 |title=Philippine devotees nailed to crosses in Good Friday ritual |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3006026/philippine-devotees-nailed-to-crosses-in-good-friday-ritual |access-date=2025-04-18 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}} He began his yearly rite after surviving a fall from a three-story billboard in 1986.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-crucifixion-idUSBRE92S04K20130329|title=Devotees nailed to cross in Philippine folk Catholicism ritual|last=Cabrera|first=Michaela|date=March 19, 2013|website=Reuters|accessdate=January 21, 2014}} Other penitents crucified with Enaje on Good Friday 2013 were Angelito Mengillo; Arnold Meniego; Byron Gómez; Willy Salvador; Angelito Manansala; Jonny Manansala; Marben Unquico; Arnel Sanggalang; Victor Caparas; Rolando Ocampo; Orlando Valentin; Arnel Reyes; Rolando Baking; and four others.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/791806/20-be-crucified-good-friday|title=20 to be crucified on Good Friday|last=Sapnu|first=Ric|website=The Philippine Star|accessdate=January 21, 2014}}
- Ramíl Lázaro – a dishwasher, wheeler, and pedicab driver, was crucified along with five penitents on Good Friday at San Pedro Cutud, on Good Friday, April 6, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://ph.news.yahoo.com/penitents-crucifixion-way-thanking-god-164209327.html|title=Penitents: crucifixion a way of thanking God|date=March 30, 2012|website=Yahoo Philippines News|publisher=Manila Bulletin|accessdate=January 21, 2014}}
- Alex Laranang – 59, who claims to have been crucified every year since 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-06/philippino-fanatics-crucify-themselves-for-good-friday/3937448|title=Filipino fanatics re-enact crucifixion for Good Friday|date=April 7, 2012|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|publisher=Agence France-Presse|accessdate=January 21, 2014}}
- Arturo Bating – 44 (last 2012) had four-inch nails driven through his palms for the first time in Good Friday of 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/20-good-friday-devotees-crucified-philippines-during-bloody-re-enactment-i-do-my-god-photos-554983 |title=20 Good Friday Devotees Crucified In Philippines During Bloody Re-Enactment: 'I Do This For My God' [PHOTOS] |publisher=Ibtimes.com |date=April 6, 2012 |accessdate=January 21, 2014}}
Paombong, Bulacan
Crucifixions are also held in Barangay Kapitangan, Paombong, Bulacan{{Cite web |url=http://www.paombong.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=100 |title=The Official Website of the Municipality of Paombong, Bulacan |access-date=January 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121221060706/http://www.paombong.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=100 |archive-date=December 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }} which is a locally-known pilgrimage area and haven for faith healers.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Many women have been nailed to the cross, acting on directions "from above", claiming mediumship of Christ either as the Santo Niño or the Black Nazarene.{{Cite journal|last=Bräunlein|first=Peter|date=2009|title=Negotiating Charisma: The Social Dimension of Philippine Crucifixion Rituals|journal=Asian Journal of Social Science|volume=37|issue=6|pages=892–917|doi=10.1163/156848409X12526657425262}}
- Precy Valencia – 41, one of a handful of women who are also crucified annually. Nailed to the cross on April 6, 2012.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/fervent-filipino-catholics-nailed-crosses-good-friday-article-1.1057219 |title=SEE IT: Fervent Filipino Catholics nailed to crosses for Good Friday |date=April 6, 2012 |work=NY Daily News |accessdate=January 21, 2014}}{{cite web | agency=Agence France-Presse | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-07/philippino-fanatics-crucify-themselves-for-good-friday/3937448 | title=Filipino fanatics re-enact crucifixion for Good Friday | date=April 7, 2012 | work=ABC | accessdate=March 26, 2024}}{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-filipino-good-friday-devotees-nailed-to-crosses-2012apr06-story.html | title=Filipino Good Friday devotees nailed to crosses | date=April 6, 2012 | work=The San Diego Union-Tribune | accessdate=March 26, 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2015/apr/03/penitents-holy-week-flagellation-crucifxion-in-pictures | title=Penitents during Holy Week around the world – in pictures | date=April 3, 2015 | work=The Guardian | accessdate=March 26, 2024}}
- Rady Gonzáles – of Barangay Sto. Rosario, stayed nailed on the wooden cross for about 10 minutes as the crowd sang the Lord's Prayer.
- Buboy Dionisio – also of Barangay Sto. Rosario, nailed for the 16 consecutive years from 1997 to 2013.{{cite news |last1=Velez |first1=Freddie |title=Three faith healers, one of them a woman, nailed to the cross on Good Friday in Bulacan |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/04/07/three-faith-healers-including-a-woman-nailed-on-a-wooden-cross-in-bulacan |access-date=14 November 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114204748/https://mb.com.ph/2023/04/07/three-faith-healers-including-a-woman-nailed-on-a-wooden-cross-in-bulacan |archive-date=14 November 2023 |language=en}} He claims receiving a vision of the Virgin Mary giving him three nails the first time he underwent crucifixion.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} He said that every year, he saw different visions which came before Holy Week.{{cite news |title=Dayuhan kasamang ipapako sa krus sa Bulacan |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/ulatfilipino/156032/dayuhan-kasamang-ipapako-sa-krus-sa-bulacan/story/ |access-date=14 November 2023 |work=GMA News Online |date=7 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114205107/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/ulatfilipino/156032/dayuhan-kasamang-ipapako-sa-krus-sa-bulacan/story/ |archive-date=14 November 2023 |language=fil}}
- JonJon Tanael – of Barangay Bulihan, Malolos City, on April 6, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://gazette.com/filipino-good-friday-devotees-nailed-to-crosses/article/136413#R50wKioiTwfxyWiH.99 |title=Filipino Good Friday devotees nailed to crosses |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |date=April 6, 2012 |accessdate=January 21, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201212520/http://gazette.com/filipino-good-friday-devotees-nailed-to-crosses/article/136413#R50wKioiTwfxyWiH.99 |url-status=dead }}
- Rolando Ocampo – 56, has been crucified every year since 1990 as a sign of his gratitude to God. He says God miraculously saved his wife from a difficult childbirth in that year. Ocampo prepares for his crucifixion for days in advance. He spends time alone and engages in deep meditation before the day on which he will share in Christ's suffering.{{cite web|last=Candela |first=Miguel |url=http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/whats-it-be-crucified-501065 |title=Meet the men who are crucified on Good Friday |work=CNN Travel |date=March 30, 2013 |accessdate=January 21, 2014}}
- John Safran (pseudonym John Michael) – a 37-year-old Australian media personality and author from Melbourne who wore a long wig and a tin crown of thorns on April 10, 2009.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/crucifixion-re-enactment-annual-good-friday-rite-philippines-article-1.360961#ixzz2r4XhG32K |title=Crucifixion re-enactment is annual Good Friday rite in Philippines |date=April 11, 2009 |work=NY Daily News |accessdate=January 21, 2014}}{{cite news |author= |title=Comic nailed to cross for 'forensic' insight |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/800255/comic-nailed-to-cross-for-forensic-insight |newspaper=9 News |date=April 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413190752/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/800255/comic-nailed-to-cross-for-forensic-insight |archive-date=April 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |author= |title=Triple J's Safran crucified in Philippines |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-12/triple-js-safran-crucified-in-philippines/1649000 |newspaper=ABC News |location=Australia |date=April 12, 2009 }}
- A 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old girl in 2008.{{cite web |url=http://dalje.com/en-world/photo--15-year-old-boy-crucified-on-good-friday/133811 |title=PHOTO: 15-Year-Old Boy Crucified on Good Friday |work=Dalje.com |date=March 21, 2008 |accessdate=January 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201233920/http://dalje.com/en-world/photo--15-year-old-boy-crucified-on-good-friday/133811 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City
- Gilbert Bargayo – crucified for the 15th time in Carcar, Cebu, and for the 17th time in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City in 2012. Six-inch nails pierced his palms and feet, and took 45 minutes to all be hammered in.{{cite web |url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/04/07/man-cebu-nailed-cross-17th-time-215108 |title=Gilbert Bargayo nailed to cross for the 17th time in Cebu |work=Sun.Star |accessdate=January 21, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202212045/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/04/07/man-cebu-nailed-cross-17th-time-215108 |url-status=dead }} (dead link July 9, 2022)
Angeles
The Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) play in Angeles, Pampanga, depicts the sufferings of Christ from his sentencing by Pontius Pilate to his death.{{cite web | url=http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=551333421828 | title=Feature: Siete Palabras in Angeles | work=Philippine Information Agency | date=April 5, 2012 | accessdate=February 11, 2014 | author=Baluyut, Joelyn G. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222051419/http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=551333421828 | archive-date=February 22, 2014 | url-status=dead }} This takes the form of a colourful street play, with dozens of men carrying wooden crosses as heavy as {{convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=in}} and scores flagellating themselves in Barangay Lourdes Northwest, Angeles, between 14:00 and 15:00 PST (GMT+8).{{cite web |url=http://www.headlinegl.com/angeles-city-to-stage-siete-palabras-2013/ |title=Angeles to stage 'Siete Palabras 2013' |publisher=Headline Gitnang Luzon |date=March 26, 2013 |accessdate=January 21, 2014 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227113608/http://www.headlinegl.com/angeles-city-to-stage-siete-palabras-2013/ |url-status=dead }}
Reception
The Catholic Church in the Philippines opposes the practice of crucifixion and self-flagellation. The bishops see the practices as spiritual vanity, with the Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan, Socrates Villegas, encouraging the public in 2014 to show more "love for others" instead of exhibiting "extreme forms" of sacrifice. Likewise, the Bishop of Legazpi, Joel Baylon, emphasized that spiritual conversion, and not "public display of suffering", is more meaningful.{{Cite news|title=Philippine bishops warn against self-flagellation |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/philippine-bishops-warn-against-self-flagellation/70719 |first=Joe |last=Torres |work=UCA News |date=April 16, 2014}} A priest from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in 2023 that the crucifixions, which devotees believe lead to the forgiveness of their sins, are contrary to the teachings of the Church.{{Cite news|title=Pampanga's 'Kristo' to retire after one last crucifixion |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/864164/pampanga-s-kristo-to-retire-after-one-last-crucifixion/story/ |date=March 16, 2023 |first=Richa |last=Noriega |work=GMA Integrated News |access-date=April 16, 2024}} Bishops instead invited the public to observe the traditional Visita Iglesia (Seven Churches Visitation) and offering prayers at churches.
The Department of Health in 2019 warned about the health risks of such activities, as open wounds cause various infections and diseases like tetanus. Likewise, the department warned that self-flagellating under the heat of the sun may cause heat stroke and dehydration.{{Cite news|title=DOH, CBCP warn against crucifixion, self-flagellation on Holy Week |first=Jam |last=Sisante |work=GMA News |date=April 15, 2019 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/691331/doh-cbcp-warn-against-crucifixion-self-flagellation-on-holy-week/story/ |access-date=April 16, 2024}}
Gallery
File:Crucified apostle in Pampanga.jpg
File:Drenched.jpg
File:Nailed.jpg
File:Striding flagellant.jpg
File:Carried (5652370943).jpg
File:Thwack.jpg
File:Devotion of flagellants.jpg
File:Passionplayjf1974 01.JPG
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- The Crucifixion of Jesus, Completely Revised and Expanded: A Forensic Inquiry by Frederick T. Zugibe / Hardcover: 352 pages, Publisher: M. Evans & Company; 2nd Edition (April 1, 2005) {{ISBN|978-1590770702}}
{{Roman Catholicism in the Philippines}}