Preparations underway for crucifixion in Pampanga

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Preparations are being made to accommodate some 50,000 spectators expected to troop to Barangay San Pedro Cutud here to witness the crucifixion of penitents on Good Friday.

“We are 100 percent prepared for the reenactment of the crucifixions here,” declared Marnie Castro, co-chairman of the “Maleldo” (Holy Week) committee.

Castro said nearby barangays Sta. Lucia and San Juan will also have crucifixions.

Before the crucifixions, thousands of penitents, called “magdarame” or flagellants, will parade the streets carrying wooden crosses and whipping their backs with bamboo sticks called “burilyos.”

At the end of their agonizing walk, some of the penitents will undergo actual crucifixions.

Many of the penitents undergo the annual ritual to atone for sins, pray for the sick or a better life and give thanks for what they believe were God-given miracles.

Some of them do it for their families while others do it as a commitment every Holy Week.

Each of the penitents interestingly has his own story to tell.

While the Catholic Church does not approve or allow these kind of acts, thousands of local and foreign pilgrims and spectators come to the province to witness the traditional “Via Crucis,” which is on its 51st year.

Castro said some 3,000 flagellants will participate in this annual tradition with at least 24 penitents to be nailed to the cross in the three barangays.

He said 52-year-old painter Ben Enaje will once more play the role of Jesus Christ.

This will be the 27th time Enaje will be nailed on the cross as he continues to thank God for surviving a fall from a three-story building he was painting many years ago.

San Fernando police chief Superintendent Ricardo David said they would deploy some 250 policemen, including some in civilian clothes, to secure the area.

David said they would also deploy K-9 units to the three villages to ensure the safety of spectators.

“We advise people who will go to the three villages not to wear expensive wrist watches, cellular phones or valuable things to prevent snatchers from doing their illegal activities in the area,” he said.

The reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion originated in 1955 with the staging of Via Crucis, the only Kapampangan piece on the passion of the Christ written by Ricardo Navarro.

It was first performed during the Holy Week in 1955 by volunteer artists of Barangay Pedro Cutud.

But it was only in 1962 that the villagers first witnessed an actual crucifixion during the play.