|
CRUCIFIXION RE-ENACTMENT
Many provinces in the catholic culture of the Philippines
have crucifixion ceremonies during Easter, or "holy week" as they refer to it. But only one, in Gua Gua, Pampanga, less than
two hours north of Manila, features such a real life re-enactment. This may sound a little gory but it's a great cultural
experience to see if you happen to be nearby during Easter - or "Holy Week." It's a great sightseeing and one of the best
photo opportunities. One of the best
travel photos I've ever taken was shot from crawling on my stomach amongst a dozen
others where I was able to capture the silhouette of the nail punctured left hand on the cross.
Filipinos mimic Jesus'
crucifixion on Good Friday about 12:00 noon. About 10 people, including a woman, will be crucified in the central Luzon Island
town on Good Friday in a bloody imitation of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
some 2,000 years ago. It's been a tradition
there since after the second world war. It is their own religious belief. Filipinos do it to atone for their sins. This year,
there are about 10 barangays (districts) according to
a local barangay captain Zoilo Castro. One crucifixion will take
place at noon time in the Cutud district of San Pedro town, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Manila. The best is outside
of Gua Gua, Pampanga, because the "Christ"'s hands are pierced with spikes after being tied to the wood cross.
There's
not as much blood as you might expect since the tying of the arms in 2 places helps to prevent bleeding like a tourniquet.
A field has been cleared to be used as the site of the crucifixion. Three crosses are hoisted
up for a few minutes. As
the "Christ," is being prepared there's a eery humming chant that allows the "Christ" to reach a trance like state so I doubt
he feels much pain. It's a mystical experience for all who witness the event.
About a dozen other Filipinos walk barefoot,
some with masked faces, down the streets leading to the open field where the three crosses are erected. Being the hot, dry,
summer season, the tropical heat of the sun relects the sweat and blood as they beat their backs to a bloody pulp with bamboo
"cat-of-nine tails" whips. These whips are made from bamboo. They make barely visible slices across each other's backs with
homemade glass disks made from coke bottles imbedded in wooden mallots. So the pain is probably not as intense as the great
amount of bleeding makes you think but the spectacle provides quite a show ad great photos.
|
