Western visitors to Pampanga and Zambales provinces in the Philippines during the Holy Week (Easter Lent) period (Good Friday principally), may be shocked by the sight of groups of masked young men flagellating (penitensiya in the Tagalog language) their bare backs to a bloody pulp with wood tip whips. This extraordinary early Medieval Christian practice was introduced by Spanish Catholic missionaries, who set up shop shortly after Portuguese maritime explorer, Ferdinand Magellan (1480 – 1421), the first European to make landfall in the archipelago, arrived in 1521. (Magellan landed on Homonhon Island on March 16^th 1521, but was subsequently killed by native forces lead by Chief Lapu- Lapu, during a miscalculated raid on a Mactan Island, Cebu village, on April 27^th 1521).

Not for the squeamish, this fascinating self-mortification ritual is a peculiar combination of what appears to be a sincere act of penance (on the part of some, but not all – one young novice actually confessed he participated in the act for fun!) and a festive occasion - for the greater number of non-participatory observers. Good cheer, accompanied with the intake of food and drink was evident all along the parade route. For most, it was like a Xmas pageant, with hordes of picture takers (including myself!), elbowing  in and snapping away souvenir photos. I noted that the Philippine Department of Tourism actually promotes the spectacle (including acts of crucifixion) internationally, as a tourism attraction.

Researcher / writer, Nicholas H. Barker (Religious Revival in Contemporary Southeast Asia ),  provides the following assessment on the motivation behind the sincere flagellant: 

“Self-flagellation is practiced in contemporary Philippines as a contractual sacrifice, based on a vow (panata) to God, sworn for a fixed period, usually between five and fifteen years, often during a crisis or time of difficulty, most commonly the illness of close kin. The link with health or ill-health is pervasive. Aside from the culturally important task, particularly for adult males, of sharing the suffering of Christ, the flagellant is also sharing (damay), and thus trying to ease the pain of a sick relative by offering himself as a sacrifice. Aside from petition or supplication, a vow may also be pledged as an act of thanksgiving, following unexpected good fortune or even specific or protracted avoidance of misfortune……. The hope is that God will bestow grace on the family, parents and children alike, and provide protection against harm and misfortune.”

Fr. Mike of the Matain, Subic City  parish told me: “Officially, the Catholic Church of the Philippines, does not encourage or condone self-flagellation or Crucifixion, as part of the Holly Week rituals. As the practice dates back centuries and has been accepted by the Filipino Christian, the Church tolerates it. The popularity of the practice is actually growing with each passing year”

The following images were taken between Subic City and Castillejos, Zambales on the morning of March 21^st 2008 and reflect the drama (real and convincingly enacted), color and festivity of the occasion.