Pampanga's Good Friday Tradition

My son flew in from Cebu together with Don to shoot the traditions of Pampanga during Good Friday.  I decided to tag along with them to shoot too.

This has blood and gore.  Not for the faint of heart.

Flagellants by the roadside.  

Each had a story to tell.  

Each had their own reasons for doing this.  

As thanksgiving for a mom who got cured, penance for a life of sin. 

There are also those who carry their crosses to symbolize the way Christ carried His.  

They want to be like Him. 

They walk through the hot pavement in Mabalacat all the way to Angeles.  It was scorching hot that morning. 

A barefoot walk some 20+ kilometers in 34 degree weather as sacrifice.

They flagellate themselves with the use of rattan sticks.  They first hit themselves until their backs get inflamed.

They do this repeatedly until that moment when
they are ready to be cut.
This is done by the church of Mabalacat.  

Though not sanctioned by the Catholic Church,
this practice has been done for decades
and no one can actually put a stop to it.

The skin is cut by a fresh blade by elders or those who have done this before and have already "retired" from doing it.

Freshly cut skin allows the blood to now ooze out freely. 

A break to drink "beer" to numb themselves.  It got me thinking:  What for, then?  What was the whole point of trying to feel the pain of Christ when they numb it with lager?

A rinsing of their rattan whips.
Blood oozing out.
Crazy.

She was a girl carrying a cross.  Not a usual sight.

She said she was doing this as a sacrifice to get
her marriage back on track.  

Her husband was a philanderer.

He depicted "Jesus" in the reenactment.

He was actually nailed to the cross using surgical stainless steel nails.

You can see the pain on his face.

The second nail. 

He was doing it for his mom who was cured from cancer after a 3-year battle.

The reenactment scene.  

All three were nailed to the cross.

Crucified on the cross under
the heat of the blazing sun.

La Pieta.

John, Mary and Magdalene.

After they were taken down, I asked to photograph the hands.  Puncture marks can still be seen.

Blood was still unwashed.

No one really can identify how this started.  When it did and why.  All they know that it was to feel the agony that Christ did.  To bear his pain.  

Everyone had their own personal reasons.  Most of it was a devotion or "panata" because of thanksgiving for a healed parent, relative or child.  Some were as sacrifices to restore relationships and livelihood.  I am just glad that my Christ finished it on the cross and I do not have to do all those things.  I am just thankful that it is done.  And that all He asks of me is to believe and accept Him as Lord and Saviour of my life.