Every year in the Philippines, tourists flock the province of Pampanga to witness the real-life crucifixion of devotees who re-enact the passion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. Some of them believe that doing this will get complete absolution from their sins while others hope for cure for an illness in their families. The Catholic church doesn’t endorse such acts of extreme devotion and has in fact discouraged it because the practice is derailing the true meaning of Lent. However penitents continue the ritual during the Holy Week which draws thousands of tourists. This year, a foreigner joined the ritual for the first time. John Michael, a 33-year-old Australian willed himself to be crucified for personal reasons.
The penitents re-enact the passion of Christ from carrying of the cross to whipping and then being nailed for crucifixion for several minutes. The nails used were dipped in alcohol for days for sanitation.
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| A devotee cries in pain as they removed the nails. |
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| Tourists flock the site to grab souvenir photos. |
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