Thousands of tourists and curious assist the macabre rites
Crucifixions and scourging for Good Friday in the Philippines. Dozens of penitents have scored themselves to blood under the scorching Filipino sun, while others have been nailed to the crosses following a tradition that attracted even the most extremists of the Catholic devotees.
The macabre show, officially disapproved by the Church, attracts thousands of Filippini – and a handful of tourists – every Easter weekend in the places of the single nation in Catholic majority of Asia. In the province of Pampanga, two hours north of Manila, the 64 -year -old Ruben Enaje was nailed to a cross for the 36th time. A few minutes after the nails were removed with caution from the palms, he told journalists that he would be the last time.
