Pampanga

A Time for Atonement

FOR THE PENITENTS OF CUTUD, PAMPANGA, LENT IS A TIME TO RE-ENACT THE WAY OF THE CROSS THANKS TO FOUR centuries of Spanish Catholic infl uence, traditional cuaresma (holy week) festivities in the Philippines are a visual feast for the culturally curious. These pious parties range from biblical re-enactments like the senakulo (passion play) to stirring via crucis processions. Those with a taste for the bizarre can watch fl agellants whip themselves in the archaic ritual of self-mortifi cation during Cutud Lenten Rites in San Fernando, Pampanga.

 You can literally get blood splattered on you while marching alongside the penitents. If you intend to stay close to see or photograph the action, wear a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt. (By the way, the bleeding is not caused by the whipping but by blade cuts wiped with alcoholsoaked cloth). The procession converges at San Pedro, Cutud for the Pay attention... …a brilliant idea could be staring you in the face!

Flagellants

A penitent is nailed to the cross

Photo and Article Source: Smile Magazine ( Cebu Pacific)