Crucifixion Reenactment in Philippines

I grew up in a family and in a town where the occasion of Lent is strictly observed. On our family the tradition is to do the  Lent Procession, Pasyon or Pabasa and  Visita Iglesia (Church Visit), it never crossed my mind that I can experience an event that is "Holier", more "solemn" and more religious than our Visita Iglesia. I'm talking about the Crucifixion Reenactment at San Pedro Cutod  Pampanga. This is not the normal play that can be seen all around the world, this is one of the unique events that can be found only in the Philippines.  

Let me show you the reasons why...

The reenactment at Cutod will show you the real thing, when we say the real thing it means the they will repeat everything that happened to Jesus Christ including the Crucifixion, real crucifixion.


Early in the morning locals starts doing the penitence by walking around the town and continuously doing the self flagellation. 

It has been a tradition for most of the guys to join the long procession specially the ones who want repent from their sins.

Even small kids are joining the procession and participates in the flagellation.

Once in a while the guys will stop and utter their prayers in front of the chapel of the church.

The main event is the Crucifixion. It is what everybody is looks forward to.
I can say that I am one of the lucky people because I get the chance to meet main cast of the procession including Mr. Ruben Enaje who will play the part of Jesus Christ and the one to be crucified.

Mr. Ruben Enaje, he has been crucified since 1985. I got the chance to have a little chat with him and found out that this Crucifixion is his way of giving thanks for his second life, he survived without serious injuries when he fell out of a building where he is a construction worker.

In my hands are the nails that are being used for the crucifixion.

When you check Mr. Ruben's hands you will not believe that there isn't a single mark or scar from the nails that were used.

He is the one preparing for the nails to be used. He makes sure that it is sharp and clean to avoid infection.

While Mr. Ruben is preparing his stuffs, other cast are also preparing for the procession.

At exactly 12 o'clock the entire crew line up and prepare for the procession.

The procession will follow the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross. On each stop there will be a reenactment of the Station.

The procession will continue until they reach the hill where the crucifixion will take place.

Along the way we can still see men doing the self flagellation.

It is a bloody scene and even I got bloods from the flagellants.

We cannot endure too much heat from the sun so we didn't finish the procession and proceed directly to the hill.
(We are in VIP area very near to the crucifixion site)

We sat there and waited for the procession. Here you can still see other devotees who volunteered to be crucified.

The procession arrived still following the script of the play. You can feel mixed emotion from the crowd when Mr. Ruben who played Jesus Christ walked in the area. For me I cannot explain what I feel, I'm excited, scared, teary eyed, mix feelings are inside me.

Few lines and conversation are thrown, this made me think of how it feels like during the real crucifixion, where people were condemning Christ and he was suffering a lot from all the scars and bruises as well as the insults from people. What I am seeing was not eve 1% of the real one but the emotion I feel was too much.

The crucifixion finally took place. Considering the number of people present you can still hear the painful shout of Mr. Ruben as the nails are hammered in his hands and feet, you can also hear the reaction of viewers in the background.

Slowly they raised the cross. Everyone fell quiet and it seems like each are offering their own prater and repentance.

This is such a sight to behold. Being there and seeing everything made that day one of the most unforgettable Holy week in my life.

If you want to have an up-close and VIP experience of this event please contact the details below:

Shaikha Travel and Tours Co.
Tel No: 02-4859696/ 02-5459977
Mobile: 09175928601
email: shaikha_travel@yahoo.com