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Royal Crucifixions, Whippings and Floggings: The Bloody Good Friday Tradition in the Philippines

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A group of Catholic fanatics in the Philippines celebrated Good Friday with crucifixions and whippings as part of their Holy Week rituals.

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The majority of the population of this country, who are believers, celebrated Good Friday by participating in mass, but others have gone to extremes to atone for their sins in rituals that are frowned upon by the Church.

In the small town of San Juan, north of the capital Manila, hundreds of residents and tourists witnessed a bloody reenactment of the last moments of Jesus Christ.

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The Vatican opposes this dramatic practice.  Photo: EFE.

The Vatican opposes this dramatic practice. Photo: EFE.

Dozens of men paraded with their faces covered, beating each other with bamboo branches.

"Romans" in a city in the Philippines.  Photo: EFE.

“Romans” in a city in the Philippines. Photo: EFE.

Blood flowed from their backs to wet their pants, also splashing into the crowd.

“I do it for my family so they can be comfortable,” said Daren Pascual, 31.

"I do it for my family, so they

“I do it for my family, so they’re safe,” the 31-year-old said before being crucified. Photo: EFE.

At the end of the procession, three people were escorted by men dressed as Romans and two of them were tied to wooden crosses.

Wilfredo Salvador, a thin old man, was crucified and both his hands and feet were nailed to a cross, while the crowd took photos and videos and some drones flew over the scene.

Wilfredo Salvador, the truly crucified Filipino man.  Photo: AFP

Wilfredo Salvador, the truly crucified Filipino man. Photo: AFP

After a few minutes he was taken down from the cross.

“I do it because I want to. I thank (God) for giving me a second life”said this 66-year-old man, who began attending this celebration 15 years ago after suffering a mental breakdown.

A Filipino name, nailed to the cross as part of a Holy Week ritual.  Photo: AP

A Filipino name, nailed to the cross as part of a Holy Week ritual. Photo: AP

This show is a tradition in the villages of the San Fernando area, but has been canceled for the past three years due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Clarin

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