Catholics in the Philippines marked Good Friday with gory re-enactments of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, including one grandfather nailed to a cross for his 36th time, amid warnings of temperatures reaching dangerous levels.
Churches nationwide were also packed with devotees attending Masses and prayers, while others joined various religious processions despite temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in places.
In over a dozen areas in the country, penitents were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped their backs bloody as an annual ritual for thanksgiving, penance and prayers.
The most popular site of the crucifixions is the village of San Pedro Cutud, about 60km (37 miles) north of Manila, where thousands of visitors gathered to witness the extreme acts of faith.
Ruben Enaje, 64, took the lead role in the tradition in San Pedro Cutud and was nailed to the cross for the 36th time after carrying a wooden cross weighing 27kg (60lbs) for nearly 2km.
The grandfather of seven said he had to make adjustments to the cross he carried to make it lighter from the original weight of 37kg.
“Unfortunately, I am getting weaker with age,” he said ahead of the ritual. “The cross has become too heavy for me to carry so I had to shave off 10kg.”
“I will try to still take part in the ritual next year, but if not, I know someone will take my place and continue the tradition,” he added.
In the nearby village of Sta Lucia, 60-year-old Joselito Capili was nailed to the cross for the 20th time.
Capili, a part-time construction worker, said he started being crucified in 2002 to pray for healing of his father who was diagnosed with cancer. While his father died one year later, he continued the vow to seek protection for his family.
“We are all healthy, my wife, two children and my six grandchildren,” he said. “We have a good life but I’m afraid I won’t be able to do this much longer. I already get dizzy because I’m old. Maybe I can continue only for a few more years.”
The Catholic Church does not encourage the extreme acts of faith, but does little to stop the practice.
Good Friday is a solemn Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ; it falls during Holy Week and leads up to Easter Sunday, in which the faithful celebrate his resurrection.
Easter week is the most important religious event in the Philippines, where more than 85 per cent of the population is Catholic.
Most of the week had been declared public holidays to allow Filipinos to visit their home provinces or take holidays. Government offices, private companies and commercial establishments are closed.
