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Witness the Controversial Crucifixion Re-enactment in the Philippines

Published by Mera

Country: Philippines

The Experience

Summer in the Philippines is not only synonymous with beaches and fun, but also with the Lenten season. For approximately 73 million Catholic Filipinos, this is a special time of year when penance and sacrifices are made prior to the resurrection of their Lord Jesus. They say Filipino faith can move mountains, and in some cases it can even influence them to nail their hands to a cross or be cut by whips in order to endure the suffering of Jesus. It may sound a bit weird, but Filipinos take the word sacrifice very seriously.

Every Good Friday, thousands of locals and tourists flock to small towns throughout the Philippines, such as Pampanga or Jordan, to witness the crucifixion acted out in what is known as "Pagtaltal sa Guimaras." This re-enactment of Christ's Passion includes the last supper, scourging at the pillar, carrying of the cross, the seven last words and the crucifixion. Leading up to the crucifixion re-enactment, thousands of penitents will whip themselves in this voluntary ritual. The practice of crucifixion itself is controversial and not encouraged by the church—willing participants have their palms nailed into a cross. For over thirty-three years the crucifixion re-enactment has been taking place every Good Friday and ends at 3 p.m. when the person portraying the role of Jesus is nailed on the cross. According to Catholics, this is also the exact time when Jesus died.

The people who portray the role of Jesus during the crucifixion re-enactment say they do it for sacrifice, personal penance, good will and blessings. Over the years, different people have portrayed the role of Jesus, including females and even visiting tourists. Whether you're Catholic or not, the crucifixion re-enactment is a shockingly bold introduction to the Filipino faith.

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When to Go to Crucifixion Philippines

The crucifixion re-enactment happens every Good Friday, two days prior to Easter. Alternatively, if you are visiting outside of Lent the best time of the year to visit the Philippines is during their summer season. From January to June the sun is at its highest, the beach is at its coolest and the weather is at its finest. Summer season is synonymous with celebration in the Philippines, and there are hundreds of fiestas being celebrated all over the country. January is also the time when the famous Dinagyang Festival is held in Iloilo city.

Odds n' Ends

Make the most out of your Philippines’ Good Friday experience. Check out the Balaan Bukid first before going to Jordan, Guimaras to witness the crucifixion re-enactment. Get there as early as you can—between 5:30–7:00 a.m. is a good bet to get to the wharf and secure your seat on the ferry. Arriving later will mean that you take the risk of staying in line under the sun’s scorching heat. Bear in mind that both local and foreign tourists visit here.

More Experiences Nearby

Experience a Natural Massage at Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is a tranquil set of mountainous falls located in the town of Badian, Cebu. This cascade of crystal-clear spring water is a must for anyone in the area. Its lush green surroundings alone are enough to lighten your lungs from the weight of local tricycle exhaust, but its true allure is only experienced once you slip into its cool waters for a refreshing dip. You can enjoy a rare treat swimming under Kawasan Falls' firm chutes of water—a natural waterfall massage! Although not necessarily among the accepted and popularized ranks of Shiatsu or Swedish massage, a waterfall massage ...249 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Philippines Country Guide Lonely Planet
Pilipino-English/English-Pilipino Phrasebook and Dictionary
Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross

Elsewhere on the Web

Crucifixion Reenactment - About.com
Philippines Tourism

Media References

Good Friday - BBC.co.uk (television)
Crucifixion Re-enactment is Annual Good Friday Rite Philippines - NYDailyNews.com (newspaper)
Philippines: Devotees crucified in Good Friday rites - USAToday.com (newspaper)

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Indonesian , Italian , Japanese , Mandarin , Spanish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Philippines. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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