by: Dean M. Bernardo

Catholicism in the Philippines is rich in unique traditions that has branched entirely on its own after Spanish missionaries first came to the islands in the 1500s. The doctrinal traditions, and personal beliefs remain rooted to the basic teachings but anyone can pursue a distinctive interpretation on how one conducts their respective practices.

In Spain and in a number of European countries where Catholicism started and spread across the world, the numbers of dedicated Catholics have significantly declined. Attendance to masses or services have declined through the past decades and it has been observed that the remaining believers are the elderly, as young adults pursue different beliefs.

In recent times, the Catholic Church has turned its sights to Africa, South America and in Asia for the continuation of the mission to spread the Gospel. In the Philippines, its been observed that the Catholic influence has started to weaken and lessen its impact, but in some parts of the country, in certain socio-economic demographics, the blaze of the faith continues to burn intensely.

During the annual celebrations for the Catholic Lenten season or the 40-day period when Jesus Christ underwent a process of suffering and sacrifice in order to fulfill God’s promise of salvation for mankind, Filipinos undergo an intensely devotional stage. Compared to other Christian countries with predominantly Catholic followers, the Lenten season particularly the holy week leading to Easter is the most holiest period for the Philippines.

During the same period, various types of solemn ceremonies are done to reflect on the passion of Christ’s suffering leading to his crucifixion, death and resurrection. These ceremonies date back to centuries in the past since Spain colonized the islands. Throughout the years, generations of followers and believers have introduced modifications that transformed and molded individual beliefs to the way they are today.

Personalized Expressions of Faith

Filipino bishops have sanctioned and introduced innovation that are within the context of the Second Vatican Council to some ceremonies in order to keep up with the times. Meanwhile, in parallel to these changes,  there are ceremonies practiced by individuals that are considered extreme, or close to being a taboo.

Several number of Filipinos across the country engage in a ritual imitation of the suffering of Jesus Christ. Their extreme demonstration of devotion starts on Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem or what is called “Palm Sunday.” The frenzy will peak on Holy Wednesday upon Christ’s arrest in Gethsemane, to his long march to Golgotha carrying the cross that lead to his crucifixion and eventual death.

A number of Filipinos with black hoods to cover their face, engage in self flagellation in the streets of barrios or cities. Others carry a heavy cross for several miles through the heat of a tropical summer, walking barefooted in rough stony foot paths or scorching concrete streets. To an extreme, others who are bold enough to do the ultimate devotion would actually allow themselves be crucified to the Cross but  short of actually dying on the Cross just like Christ.

For these people who emulate Christ’s actual experience of suffering is their way of seeking penance, to gain favor or re-payment for a miraculous grant, while for others, ensure the salvation of their soul come Judgment Day. It is in their strong belief that their sacrifice is their own way suffering, an act of becoming truly one with God.

Acts of ‘Sacrifice’

In a small village called San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando, located 75 kilometers northwest of the capital Manila, the solemn commemorations of the annual Lenten Season is a much hyped and promoted affair where every villager has his own task or role.

For more than a hundred years, generations of villagers of San Pedro Cutud have testified that a member of their family in the distant past or to the present have in one way or the other engaged in extreme rituals during the Lenten season.

Men would engage in the extremist of practices starting with the easier task of carrying a wooden cross around the village leading towards the nearest church or to the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, the seat of the Diocese of San Fernando.

Men, naked from the waist up, with their faces covered in black cloth would walk through the scorching asphalt roads or rough foot paths carrying the cross. Friends who will act as Roman centurions would lash at the back of the penitent using bamboo thatches. Blood would gush at the back of the penitent, often leaving painful permanent marks.

As early as a Monday of the Lenten Week, these men will start their emulation of Carrying of the Cross. It peaks towards Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Devotees from near and distant towns as far as the town of Arayat would walk at least 30 kilometers towards the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.

Other men with more dexterity will prepare themselves for Good Friday with one act of penance, scourging their own backs with bamboo thatches. Naked from the waist up, with their faces covered in black cloth, these men will assemble on a Good Friday. Assistants will start the ritual with the “padugo” or wounding the backs of the penitents using a razor blade.

On cue, these men will march barefoot through the village road towards a makeshift Golgotha while scourging their own backs. Rows of penitents walking in a column scourging their backs will escort those whose self imposed penance is just to carry the cross and for another set whose ultimate and sole penance is to be crucified.

One must note that men who are to be crucified will not engage in either the self scourging, carry the cross and eventually get crucified. It’s been said that no one has ever imitated the entire series of suffering inflicted on Jesus Christ. Penitents can select only one form of penance.

As for the women, they too play a vital role in the village’s commemoration of Christ’s suffering. The women will assist their husbands, brothers or fathers who chose a particular act of penance. While other women will participate in rituals that are traditionally sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church such as the Way of the Cross, or the “Pabasa ng Pasyon.”

The “Pabasa ng Pasyon” is a reading of verse narrative on the life and suffering of Jesus Christ structured in 5 line stanzas, with each stanza containing 8 syllables. The “pasyon” would be read in cantata starting Holy Monday until Good Friday of the Lenten week.

Other women will assist in the preparation for the “Cenaculo” or the dramatization of the events starting from the arrest of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane to his carrying of the Cross and eventual death after being crucified. The women will either prepare the costumes of Roman centurions, including props needed to complete the dramatization.

Meanwhile, the wives or mothers of penitents choose to remain at home, diligently providing support for the men’s promise before God by nursing their wounds and preparing a hearty feast to celebrate the completion of their acts of penance.

In recent times, some nearby villages outside of San Pedro Cutud, such as the village of Santa Lucia, women have been allowed to be nailed to the Cross. Some elders of San Pedro Cutud, where this tradition of crucifixion started, frown on the idea of allowing women to be crucified.

Thy Will Be Done

            The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines has said time and time again that these extreme acts of ‘sacrifices’ are not acceptable. However, these penitents believe that beyond the doctrines and even the Bible, there acts are a way, a sign of directly pleasing God. Despite the Church’s threat of censure or rebuke, these penitents reached a level where they say, “they heard the voice of God and thy will be done.”

Ruben Enage is perhaps the most familiar face from San Pedro Cutud. among the dozens of men who willingly have themselves crucified. His face of anguish while hanging on the cross has been published on countless newspapers, magazines and even seen on global television. For the organizers of the annual “cenaculo” in San Pedro Cutud, Ruben Enage is the “star” of the lot.

Enage is a tradesman by profession, an artist for outdoor advertising. He started his yearly crusade to be crucified in 1986 after he accidentally fell from a three story high sign board. He claims that he survived the fatal fall without any injury or even a scratch.

Being religious and devotional, Enage immediately thanked God for his miraculous survival. Being a resident of San Pedro Cutud since birth, he has been exposed to the extreme passions of his fellow villagers. He concluded that he was saved and must pay for his new lease on life. Enage believed that he owed his new life to God and for that he must make the ultimate annual sacrifice – to be crucified.

In 2011, Enage has been crucified annually for 25 times, far more than any of the men in his village. He attributes to God the blessings he has receive all throughout the years. He now manages his own advertising signage business, bought a small piece of land, two vehicles and for the great health he and his entire family has had through the years.

When asked if he sees an end to his deeds, he claims that he has not received the word from God – a voice, a message or even a simple sign indicating that it is time to retire. Some of his fellow penitents who are also nailed to the cross prods him to step aside for them to become the next “star” of the Cenaculo, but for Enage, he will continue with his deeds until the sign is given or until his body could no longer take it. He says, “I’ve tried to stop for two times already but unfortunately, my wife took ill each time I ask for His permission. There was even a time when she was 50-50 (on a chance of living).”

Another long time penitent who gets crucified is 56 year old Ronaldo Ocampo. Ocampo is a carpenter by profession but is now semi-retired and earns a living for his family including his grand children by running a small retail store and a nearby fish pond.

At the age of 17, Ocampo was one of the young men in the village who scourged their backs as village traditions were handed down by father to son. He was already 36 when he decided to make the ultimate act of being crucified.

Ocampo decided to be crucified in 1990 when his wife was having difficulties carrying their youngest child. He pleaded to God to save both his wife and their daughter with a promise to have himself crucified every Good Friday.

Ocampo says, “At first I was one of those who watched at those men get crucified, and then eventually I was doing it to myself. God is very kind. He will heed your calls for mercy and that is why I offered this sacrifice to Him. Its only when we experience Jesus Christ’s suffering on the Cross would we realize the real pain and sacrifice he did.”

His children have all grown up with their own families, all living in the very same house he has built. In his spare time if he is not fishing, he would look after his five grandchildren. Only his youngest daughter whom God saved remains unmarried.

When asked if he would encourage his children and grandchildren to follow his example, he replied, “I don’t want them to suffer the way I did but if they insist, I will ask them many times if they are sincere and sure over their plan.”

Ocampo recalled that the first time he had himself crucified, his mother was in anguish and crying while he lay on the cross. He recalled that he fainted after the nails pierced through his flesh for the first time. His wife, his children and his mother did not know of his plans to be crucified up the very last moment. It was only his uncle who knew ahead of his plans and asked him many times if he was truly certain of what he was about to do.

For more than two decades, Ocampo has been crucified every Good Friday and still sees no end to his passion. Like Enage, he has not received any sign from God that would tell him his task is done.

Ocampo says that his health may not be up to the task in the coming years and believes that this is God’s way of saying, its time to end it. However, he will continue with his promise until his body could no longer take it.

The Road to Salvation

  Speaking to dozens of other penitents who are engaged in varying degrees of extreme sacrifice, their reasons may vary but its anchored basically on seeking forgiveness gaining their salvation.

In the Philippines’ long history in relation with the Catholic Church, its said that Spanish friars who lorded over the Filipinos for 333 years emphasized that the road to hell is easier compared to the stairs to heaven. Teachings back then emphasized that salvation can come to anyone, but with a price.

Controlling the Filipinos from rebelling against the colonial masters  was easier done with the sword of fear dangling at every believer’s head, the fear of burning in hell or the unleashing of God’s wrath for failing to become blindly obedient to their masters who speak on behalf of God.

 Today, the Church continues to re-educate the masses of their misconceptions but countless generations remain in their belief that their souls can be saved by doing extreme acts of devotion compared to simple acts of charity or compassion. In some cases, people who calls themselves Catholic are not even entirely properly aware of the simple and basic requirements of becoming a true Catholic.

During every Lenten season, men and nowadays even the women are willing to do the extreme regardless of what others believe or tell them. There could be no stronger call from God for this people if their extraordinary acts would lead to a better life, escape from poverty or be spared from any illness, ultimately lead them to the welcoming gates of Heaven. * * *