#penitensiya

[delfindakila]

LEO GALI Penitensiya, akriliko sa kambas, 2024 #artPH

[susiequizana-blog]

Akala ko tapos na ang Semana Santa.. #penitensiya 😞😴😩 #buhayprobinsiya (at Catanuan, Quezon, Philippines)

[nicholascage15]

Good Friday 😇😇😇 #penitensiya (at Nagbalayong, Bataan, Philippines)

[jumisantos18]

Bambang, Bulakan, Bulacan

[randytiempo-blog]

saraap ng #penitensiya nitooo #get360fit #getfitforlife #team360alabang #barangaytiempo (at 360 Fitness Plus Alabang)

[randytiempo-blog]

sarap ng #penitensiya nitooo #get360fit #team360alabang #getfitforlife #barangaytiempo (at 360 Fitness Plus Alabang)

[espejophoto]

Penitensiya

Note: This post will be a bit graphic.

The Philippines is a country dominated by Catholicism. The population is around 80% Catholic, and therefore Holy week is a big deal. It's a long weekend that is seen by most city dwellers as an opportunity to go on vacation. In the provinces however, the Religious rite of Penitensiya invades the streets on Good Friday.

Penitensiya is basically self-flagellation. Performed in exchange for forgiveness of one's sins. This is regarded by many (including the Catholic church) as archaic and blasphemous, yet it is still widely practiced to this day.

My family decided to have a little vacation. As we were driving to the beach, we came across hundreds of men engaged in this tradition.

They whip their backs for hours, all while walking barefoot on asphalt baked by the midday sun.

All the people come out to watch.

The men have their backs slashed with razor blades to induce bleeding.

Others choose to strap knives to their bodies. This forces them to endure the pain of keeping their arms raised to keep the blades from stabbing them.

While some choose to experience the burden of the cross.

The most devoted of which actually go on to have themselves crucified. Nails are driven into their palms and feet. We didn't stay long enough to actually witness this.

A handler for the blindfolded devotees, covered in blood. Spectators will also inevitably find themselves spattered.

A very interesting experience indeed. Even our car was a bloody mess.