Crucifixion in the Philippines ...

[fengwei]

Millions of people in the mainly Roman Catholic country of the Philippines celebrate Easter every year, with some penitents following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ even up to the point of being nailed to a cross - Crucifixion. This is an annual event in the Philippines, and it's on the Good Friday every year.

A couple of weeks back some friends and I went to Philippines for a short trip, and we happened to see this event. It's so different from what we've seen on photos or TV, and you'll have to be there and walk along w/ those devotees to get the idea how this event is like. Well, it's nothing like the Thaipusam as far as I have seen.

In the following thread I'll post some photos which are not so easy to some eyes. The first group might be okay, but the second group are really not for everyone.

[fengwei]

Some hooded flagellants whip themselves with chains/lashes, and some carry heavy crosses walking on the street:

[fengwei]

Kids at the event:

[fengwei]

[fengwei]

Nailed to the cross:










Only these guys could get better views and shots on the final crucifixion:





Don't think you'd love these photos, but just wanna share what we saw there at the event...

[Loupisk]

Amazing reportage !

This is something really different and a really good subject that make you think.

Congratulations for the work !

[Rashkae]

There are many forms of extremism. At least in this one, they don't attack others. But the risks of HIV, TB, etc being spread with blood everywhere... Well...

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by Loupisk Amazing reportage ! This is something really different and a really good subject that make you think. Congratulations for the work !

Thanks, and glad you like them. It's certainly alot different from the Thaipusam here in SG and Malyasia.

Originally Posted by Rashkae There are many forms of extremism. At least in this one, they don't attack others. But the risks of HIV, TB, etc being spread with blood everywhere... Well...

Yeah, you are right. I got blood spots on my shirt, camera bag, even my camera and lens

[dot1q]

Good shots there... This place is a town somewhere in Pampanga province if I'm not mistaken.

[rudigunawan]

Fengwei, are those really blood? They look like some red coloring that you can put on the wooden whip. Can those blunt wooden whip actually cause bleeding?

[vincecarlo]

Nice pix

A very good re-anactment of the last hours of Christ up to the cruxifixion. A have not seem anything so real in Sgp

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by Rashkae There are many forms of extremism. At least in this one, they don't attack others. But the risks of HIV, TB, etc being spread with blood everywhere... Well...

HIV generally do not stay long in air. TB are slow growing atypical bacteria that require long term close contact to spread.

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by rudigunawan Fengwei, are those really blood? They look like some red coloring that you can put on the wooden whip. Can those blunt wooden whip actually cause bleeding?

they look real, like superficial abrasive burns.

[scenar]

wow, very interesting....quite an eye opener....
great documentary shots..

[adamadam]

Interesting.

Do they let the people down from the crosses? Or... leave them to die? :O

[barracuda]

So much blood, so scary.

[yanyewkay]

I've seen pictures of simliar processions like these before. Rest assured the blood is real, so is the crucifixion. The nail through the hand and all... Gory stuff.

[miniUltraman]

Originally Posted by adamadam Interesting. Do they let the people down from the crosses? Or... leave them to die? :O

I would like to know too holy cow!!

[arttitude13]

It's all for real n ppl there in phillipines do it for the purpose of cleansing themselves from sins n evil. There is a program in discovery channel called "TABOO'. Its on every wed or thurs...i cnt rmbr. It's a very good show where u will be able to see lots of weird n unexpected stuff abt other cultures,practices n believes frm all over the world. That includes the crucifixion in phillipines. It all begins with this one man who starts to crucify himself for the whole day on every GOOD FRIDAY,believing that god will cleanse away all his sins n bless him.I EVEN GET TO SEE THE NAILING SCENE...and its damn real. Also ask few frenz who r frm there n they say it's true.

[arttitude13]

Originally Posted by adamadam Interesting. Do they let the people down from the crosses? Or... leave them to die? :O

for wat i noe...they will be hang for the day...i mean not exactly 24hrs but till dusk.