SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The "crucifixion" of 42-year-old Herocito Sangalang and nine others in Barangay Cutud here is a tradition that is expected to attract anew thousands of tourists this Good Friday.
But the 10 Kristos are not only the ones shedding "penitential blood." In recent years, a growing number of youths, some as young as 13 years old, have been practicing self-flagellation with the consent of their parents.
"There seems to be nothing wrong with such practice among children for as long as no one is compelling them," said social worker Evelyn Manalo.
A mother of a 13-year-old flagellant, who asked not to be named, said her son started joining other penitents last year after illnesses prevented her husband from pursuing his penitential vow.
Manalo said Presidential Decree 603 or the Child and Youth Welfare Code guarantees children's freedom of expression.
"If the child wants to express his religious beliefs in the traditional penitential flagellation, then no law is violated," she said.
She said, however, that the case would be different if parents compel their children to flagellate themselves, thus violating Republic Act 7610 or the Child Protection Law.
Ninety percent of about 500 families from Barangay Cutud here, which was hit by lahar flows in 1996, have returned to prepare for their unofficial fiesta on Good Friday, bracing for the influx of tourists who will witness the "crucifixion" of Sangalang and the nine other Kristos.
Barangay captain Zoilo Castro said three-inch stainless nails immersed in alcohol have been prepared for the Kristos who will be nailed on wooden crosses one after the other at about 3 p.m. on Friday.
The main Kristo will be Sangalang who will "retire" after his 15th "crucifixion" next year, after which Ruben Enaje, on his 13th year this Friday, will succeed him.
The other Kristos are Eduardo Pabustan, who is on his 11th year; Arnel Sangalang on his eighth; Victor Caparas on his fourth; Bob Velez, Rolando Campo and Jesus Garcia, on their third, and Rommel Lazaro and Rogelio Castro, on their second.
Cutud residents, mostly Catholics, are wont to ignore the practice of fasting and abstinence from meat on Good Friday. While the barangay's official fiesta honoring St. Peter falls in June, local folk celebrate it on Good Friday since the "crucifixion" has attracted thousands of foreign and local tourists.
As usual, costumed villagers will re-enact Jesus Christ's last hours on earth, culminating with the nailing of the Kristos on wooden crosses. The cenaculo will be based on the Kapampangan script of Zoilo Castro who has directed Cutud's Good Friday tradition.
As the older Kristos retire, the younger generations are expected to continue the tradition.
"They do it to ask God for favors, thank God for favors granted or make amends for their sins," Manalo said.
In Sangalang's case, his retirement next year would complete his thanksgiving vow for the healing of his ailing wife during his first year of "crucifixion" on Cutud's mini-Golgotha. -- With Ric Sapnu