GOOD FRIDAY - FLAGELLATION & CRUCIFIXION

***** WARNING: SOME PICTURES MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED *****

***** WARNING: SOME PICTURES MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED *****

Good Friday is commemorated with a street procession, the Way of the Cross, the commemoration of Jesus' seven last words and a Passion play called the "Senakulo". The procession includes devotees who self-flagellate and culminates with the actual nailing of at least three penitents to wooden crosses as expressions of penance or in fullfilment of a vow (panata) accomplished in thanksgiving or exchange for a granted wish or prayer. (This is mostly done in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga)

This Good Friday, I witnessed a similar commemoration of the procession in Balut, Tondo, Manila. Residents here performed self-flagellation from their barangay up to the San Roque chapel where three wooden crosses awaits them. No actual nailing happened though, instead they were tied to the cross under the scorching summer heat from 12 noon up to 3 p.m.

Here are the pictures I shot from the preparation up to the tying to the cross.
***** WARNING: SOME PICTURES MAY BE TOO GRAPHIC, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED *****




Here we see "whip" and the "paddle" with blades and broken glass being used to puncture the backs of the penitents. Then "whip" is soaked, then the self-flagellation begins. We had blood sprinkled on our shirts and one photographer was unfortunate enough to have blood on his lens.












Along the way, the penitents would stop and lay on the ground while being whipped by their companions.








A small crowd gathered outside the chapel to watch the show, motorists who pass-by could not resist the urge to stop and have a look at the happenings.

Here are some more pictures from Good Friday: