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Saturday, April 07, 2007
7 Filipino devotees nailed to crosses
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Christian devotees were nailed to crosses on a dusty mound in Barangay San Pedro Cutud here where Good Friday rites drew thousands of tourists and spectators.
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The Lenten ritual is opposed by religious leaders in the country -- Southeast Asia's largest predominantly Roman Catholic nation -- but it has become one of the country's most-awaited summer attractions in the city.
Seven devotees were nailed to crosses in the re-enactment of Jesus Christ's final hours.
The devotees -- whose palms and feet were secured to wooden crosses with 10-centimeter (four-inch) nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection -- were nailed up after a 1.5-kilometer walk to the mound, each carrying a wooden cross on their backs.
Among the yearly penitents in Barangay San Pedro Cutud was Ruben Enaje,
a 46-year-old commercial sign maker, who was nailed to the cross for the 21st time on Friday.
Earlier on Good Friday, dozens of half-naked men hit their bloodied backs with bamboo sticks dangling from a rope in a flagellation rite meant to atone for sins.
"They take this religion to the extreme," said Gomas de Miguel, a tourist from Spain. "In Spain, we say we are Catholics, but we don't do this anymore, I think," he said.
"It's not my belief, but I know that they are sincere in what they are doing so I respect it," said American tourist Dennis Smith.
More than 100 foreign tourists flocked to this year's Good Friday rites, with many seated on a stage at the side of the dirty mound, police officer Romeo de la Peña said. (AP)(April 7, 2007 issue)
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