MANILA – Nearly two dozen Filipinos were nailed to crosses to re-enact the passion of Christ yesterday, in what they see as an extreme display of devotion but which the Catholic Church sees as a distortion of the Easter message.
The annual ritual draws thousands of spectators to San Fernando, 80km north of Manila, to see penitents flagellate themselves and a series of crucifixions in local villages, culminating in a recreation of Christ’s death.
“I hope the Lord will grant my wish to make me win big in ‘jueteng’ this year,” said Alex Laranang (55), a food vendor, before two five-inch nails were driven into his hands. Jueteng is a popular illegal lottery in the Philippines.
Laranang, a father of five, said he had won 3,000 pesos ($70) twice in the five years he had himself crucified on a cross.
“The first time I was nailed to a cross, I was terrified, but I prayed to Jesus to take the pain. Now, I don’t feel anything. It’s like getting an injection,” he added.
Roli Pantoja, a construction worker, said he felt much better after getting down from a wooden cross. This was his sixth crucifixion.
The church strongly disapproves of the practice, which took hold in northern Pampanga province about 60 years ago for Filipinos seeking forgiveness or seeking to have wishes granted.
“There’s only one crucifixion that saved mankind,” said Angel Lagdameo, former head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and archbishop in Jaro. – (Reuters)