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I’m sorry to tell you this…

Adjustment, Philippine Culture / by

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but sometimes it is necessary.  Easter is quickly approaching, and unfortunately, this year, I must tell you that you, assuming you are not Filipino, will not be allowed to be crucified this year in the Philippines.

Yes, you did read that right.  What I am talking about is the Cutud, an annual event held every Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday) in San Pedro, near the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, on the island of Luzon.  The Cutud is an event where people, those who are very devoted and religious can re-enact the final acts of Jesus Christ.  Yes, the people who choose to participate can actually be crucified – nailed to a cross and put on public display.  There are other events during the Cutud too, but the public crucifixion is certainly the highlight of the Cutud.

In the past, foreigners were allowed to participate in the event.  I mean, why not?  If they are devoted to their religion to the point of wishing to be crucified, why not allow them?  It is certainly something I would never do, and in my mind it is somewhat crazy, but we all have different beliefs.  I see no reason why race or citizenship should play a role in deciding if a person should be allowed to express his faith.

However, this year, the local officials of San Pedro have banned foreigners from the act of crucifixion.  Why?  According to City Councilor Jimmy Lazatin, quoted in the GMA News Website, last year a foreigner “made fun of the ritual.”  On another website, I read that Councilor Lazatin said that a foreigner laughed at the spectacle.  Why should the acts of a single foreigner ban all other foreigners from expressing their religious faith?  I mean, if it was a foreign man who laughed, why not ban all men?  It would seem to make as much sense to me.

In fact, if you think about it, I am pretty certain that Jesus Christ was not Filipino, so why should this ritual be limited to Filipinos?  If Jesus Christ were to attend the Cutud, would he be banned?  If so, would it be the right thing to do?

As I said earlier in this article, I personally would never have any interest in being crucified.  I can express my faith in other ways.  I do not think that God would expect or even want us to do something so extreme to express our faith.  However, as a lover of freedom and liberty, I strongly defend the right of the people who feel a need to do this to do so.  For myself, in fact, I would not even have an interest in visiting the site or witnessing this event.

But, the question still remains in my mind, why ban foreigners?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bob;
    There go my plans for Good Friday, I was raised an Irish Catholic, and I fail to understand the reason someone would want to do it. This practice is not sponsored by Papal Decree. But banning a foreigner does seem wrong to me. Ban people who laugh, not the ones who sincerely want to participate. Would he ban boxing because his people laugh and joke during his National Anthem?
    Jimmy had better spend his time worrying about the 4 day shutting down of his Government, Military, TV and print media during this period, or his City Councilors seat could be taken over while he was busy on anti-laugh patrol.

    • Hi Paul – Yeah, I don’t understand the banning, it just doesn’t make much sense to me. I agree with Jimmy that this is not a laughing matter, but I think he is taking it a bit far.

    • Hi John – Do you think that banning foreigners is an election thing? I’m not sure on that. I suppose it could be used to whip up a little nationalism or something of that nature.

      • Bob: I think that’s exactly what they are trying to do… There’s no political risk, since foreigners really don’t have a voice here. Stand up for the people and so on. It’s the council members doing the ban, remember. Not the church or others.

        If they were reallt insulted, then a far more effective response would be to ban video cameras at the event. This event always shows up on the “Weird Videos”, “Amazing Videos” shows and the like, sensationalizing it and detracting from what really is an expression of religious faith.

        • Hi John – One thing I found interesting and somewhat humorous in the article that I pointed to is that the Church is really against this event. The Councilor even came right out and said “This is a tourist event” which means to me that they want to make money by attracting people to come to view or participate in the event. Maybe it’s neither a religious nor political thing, but rather a revenue thing.

          • Bob: Interesting… I went back and read the link to the article. I always thought this was a much older tradition. This always reminded me of the cult in Appalachia that plays with the snakes.

            • Hi John – That’s what I thought too… I thought this was Church sponsored, and also a long time tradition. I was surprised to learn that it was not.

      • A couple things in the ‘rest of the story’ as Paul Harvey (RIP) used to say.

        First the mock crucifixion in barangy San Pedro is only the culmination of a very long day of religious-cum tourist events. They start well before dawn, and the end of the Cutud, if one is lucky, happens around 4 pm.

        Other barangays of San Fernado alos have crucifixions, and the streets are lined with flagellants …

        One who practices flagellating oneself, either for pleasure or penance.

        Some of these folks beat themselves, mainly across the back, violently with chains and cables … it’s a pretty bloody event … I went there two years ago and will never, ever again. My car had blood spots from one end to another just from passing the (mainly) fellows whipping themselves along the roads … and the crowds and consequently the traffic is pretty bad.

        I mentioned your article to several Filipinos I know today, without mentioning your explanation .. and every one of them had the same response … “AIDS-phobia”

        There are many Filipinos, especially those not well traveled or those who don’t deal with foreigners often who are secretly or even openly of the opinion that most Americans carry AIDS … so this might part of a hidden agenda behind the ban.

        (and for anyone thinking of going who is AIDS-phobic … don’t, the chances of getting spattered with strangers blood is certainly as real one.)

        The ban also may just be an example of ‘hiya’ at work, as we’ve often mentioned in the past. Filipinos are a happy, easygoing people in general, but cause someone embarrassment, especially a municipal official in public … make them lose face or ‘hiya’, and their memory is exceedingly long.

        Thanks for pointing that article out, too, once again I often learn what’s going on here from LiP.

        • Hi Dave – Thanks for your comment. I did point out, near the beginning of the article that the Cutud consisted of other events, not only the crucifixion.

          I had not thought of this as an AIDS related thing, but after reading your comment, I think that is a possible reason, although I think it is not a very wise reason. I mean, Filipinos have AIDS too. Teachers in my son’s school have told the students things about foreigners carrying AIDS, so I do know that what you say is quite factual.

          • I never said you didn’t say there were other activities, Bob, however not many people who haven’t been there realize how much blood flows … even when you are a tourist, kilometers away from the actual ritual site.

            According to many Filipinos, including a few in positions of influence, AIDS is a disease brought to the Philippines by the US Forces before the bases closed in 1991 .. just another ‘cross’ the US serviceman has to bear, no pun intended.

            Blaming the US for AIDS is a very common belief all across Asia .. and no there’s doubt blood flies in San Fernando.

  3. Bob
    I agree I dont think it is right to ban someone based on his/her race.
    Other than that all I can say is I tried the church thing a couple times and didn’t care for it with all the lame traditions and formalaties they want to put you through to make you feel you will be saved or something. I think it has to do with the way you live that determines how you will be judged, not the public displays of supposed dedication to ones faith.

    Enough of that

  4. I miss the good ol days of the Roman Circus and the lions. Crucifixions are so boring anyway

  5. Hi Bob – Well, plenty of relief here now that my option has been taken away. Indecision was starting to wreck my life. Couple that with not believing in what one’s actually doing and it becomes a real train wreck.

    Coming from that stranger perspective of the north, I think the ban is helpful to both foreigners and locals. Foreigners benefit from a health standpoint – their immune systems may not tolerate the blood letting as well as a local. Locals benefit from a “spiritual” standpoint – the “purity” of ritual is maintained.

    (Of course, old “tribal bitternesses” up here are assuaged whenever Kapampangans hurt themselves!)

    As for the Circus and Lions – the bans imposed of foreigners back then only had to be enforced just one time!

    ALL TONGUE DEEPLY IMBEDDED IN CHEEK! 😆

    • Hi Paul – Ha ha… The ban is helpful to foreigners? Well, that’s probably true, though… but my question still stands… would Jesus Christ be banned from being crucified?

  6. It’s the Philippines what do you expect? Were any of the “porenjer” in this board had plans to be crucified? 😉

    Right now there’s a big bruhaha all over the internet about Arnel Pineda’s rendition of the national anthem in Pacquiao’s boxing match. Oh my goodness! 🙂

    • Hi Miss August – I didn’t have any plans, but it’s always good to have options! 😯

      That National Anthem thing is crazy, IMHO. Did you know that if he is taken to court on this, there is actually a law that if you don’t sing the National Anthem exactly as written, you can face up to a year in jail? It’s true!

        • Hi Paul – There is either a statute or a military regulation still in effect which requires the U.S. National Anthem, once started in a public forum, to be completed without pause or halting.

          Morning colors on Dec. 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor was accompanied by the USS NEVADA’s band playing the National Anthem (a duty rotated among vessel which had bands). The attack occurred during colors, yet the band remained in formation, finishing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before hightailing it to their battle stations.

          Whichever it is – statute or reg – it isn’t enforced as vigorously today as it was in the “old Navy (Armed Forces/country).”

          • Paul;
            The J.O.T. always comes through when needed; I didn’t know that about the band in Pearl Harbor. Great fact to know, and thank you, as I’ll never rag on a Flute Toot, (MU rating or Navy Musician for non-Navy) again. Great piece of information!

      • I didn’t until a few days ago and read what the law is all about. Arnel actually sang the national anthem the way it should be except for the last two words at the end. But NHI is saying he sang it in much slower tempo. If NHI want to enforce the law then do it, but don’t pick and choose who they want to punish.

        Sorry didn’t mean to hijack the thread, Bob!

        • Hi Miss August – You didn’t hijack the thread, no problem. You know, there is one thing I don’t understand… how could the Philippines enforce a Philippine law for an act that occurred on US soil? How do they figure that they have jurisdiction?

          • Hi Bob – I’d venture, the same way that the U.S. enforces the law against U.S. citizens purchasing, obtaining, owning, providing or smoking post-1959 Cuban cigars regardless of where they may be so doing! 😯

            It isn’t easy for a Kano who enjoys Habanos! 😆

  7. Hi Bob,
    I too had plans too come there this friday and be crucified. But I think that the mayor is just looking out for me.. He wouldn’t want any harm done to me… But filippinos are ok I guess.

    • Hi Hudson – The crucifixion will be next Friday, almost 2 weeks from now. Maybe they will let you join in this Friday, though! 😆 Want me to check for you?

      • Hey Bob
        OOps! got my dates wrong. but maybe thats the solution…Americians can just do it this comming friday 🙂

        • Hi hudson – Yeah, I’m thinking you have come up with a winning solution – let the foreigners do it a week in advance. I wonder how many participants will show up? I know you will be there! 😯 I won’t be joining you, though, unfortunately! 😉

  8. Well, maybe if foreigners paid into the kitty to participate, then they’ll probably withdraw the ban. That practise is sick anyway (to me) judging from the link, it was a fake or faith healer who started this all.

  9. This is fascinating. Tell me, is the ritual restricted to those who can afford the necessary medical treatment afterwards? And isn’t suicide actually against Catholic belief if they can’t afford the medical treatment.

    Every now and again, I come across rituals from the Philippines that quite astound me. (Waving snakes around by the tail to ward off earthquakes is another). Anyway, to return strictly to topic, I’d say that it comes back to the old “how dare a foreigner hold an opinion on Philippine matters” thinking! IMHO, I reckon that it’s at least a beginning towards banning everyone doing it. At present, I think we’d better just stand back and watch from a distance, observing a reserved silence in case we offend anyone, intentionally or otherwise. (Just a thought, it wasn’t the same official who instigated the ban that tried to ban Manny P. from fighting in case he lost, at one time, was it? Similar thought process I think)!

    • Hi Jim – I am surprised that you didn’t know about this ritual before! It is usually on TV (like CNN and such) every year on Good Friday.

      Nope, this is not the same politician who tried to stop Manny P. before… different guy, same attitude! 😀

  10. Hi Bob- It’s just a pity that foreigners are banned from participating in this ritual as I’m sure the Pope could nominate a few people from his own church that warrant crucifying after the revelations of late.
    Just an observation.
    Jim.

  13. Maybe they generalized foreigners? I have been generalized here. I really get annoyed by it, but I don’t tell them. Good thing though, Filipinos seem to mean no harm by it… unless they call April a gold digger or have a political anti-Kano agenda (which I have run across once by a guy my age.. but I had that same mindset as him 2 years ago). In SC, people ain’t used to foreigners but are hotsile about it, well, in smalltowns. Example: Asian = ONLY Chinese = cat eating communist= pull at your eyes and say ‘ching chong’. Here it seems to be 99% non-hotsile but still being too general on characteristics.

    Maybe their logic went like this:

    1-Foreigner laughs
    2-Filipinos don’t laugh
    3-Therefore, all foreigners laugh.
    Then, they’ll take action as that being the logical basis.

      • Yeah. I see it as same definition to two words. I think a lot just comes from ignorance of culture because of majority culture versus smaller culture. Happens everywhere. I don’t think of it as purely meant to be bad though. I mean, though its annoying, I see it as misunderstanding and not even aware of oneselves misunderstanding.
        Then there are ones who I see misunderstand, know it, and don’t care. I see that having a base of hatred.

  14. The more I understand about religion in the Philippines the more I feel like I am back in the Middle Ages. I thought the Flagellants died out a long time ago. Everyone is free to worship as they see fit, even if outsiders may not understand it. As for banning all foreigners from the event it fits in with my suspicions about the goverment’s backlash against foreigners. Increased Visa Renewal cost, mandatory ACR cards for tourist visa holders after 59 days, and small but pervasive dislike of foreigners that I have heard though stories here and there.

    • Hi brspiritus – the truth is that even though visa fees have been increased, it is still cheaper than what the US Government charges for similar services. In these kind of Visa fee situations, reciprocity is the rule of the game. If other countries charge more for Filipinos to travel there or stay there, then the Philippines will also increase. That’s just how it works.

      • Visa fees can be a lenghthy argument however the facs remain, if a foreigner is on a visitor visa in the US and falls deathly ill he goes to the local hospital recieves first rate quality care and if he is unable the US government picks up the tab, in the Philippines visa fees much like taxes, you will be the reciever of very little

        • By the way, the USA charges Filipinos $200 (roughly, I think it might be $190) just to apply for a tourist visa to visit the USA. The fee is non-refundable, and more than 90% of applications are denied. Talk about getting very little for your money! 😯

              • Don’t be fooled Tommy… the US charges those airport fees and such too.. they are just built into the price of the ticket there. As I keep saying… reciprocity.

              • I’m not looking forward to the amount of fees I’m going to have to pay to bring Venice to the USA and get her a green card. I really don’t think reciprocity has much to do with it as long as the US lets in a quota of OFW’s the Philippines are happy. I think the increased costs of tourist visa fees are all about BOI needing more funding especially the new requirement for an ACR-I Card after your 59 day renewal. The I-Card is temporary and expires after 1 year and costs around P3,000 and does nothing that wasn’t accommplished already through the usual paperwork.

              • brspiritus – The official Philippine policy for fees is reciprocity. I am not just saying that “I think” that reciprocity is what is happening, that is the official policy which is laid out on govt websites. So, even if “you don’t really think” that reciprocity has much to do with it, that is what the government says they are doing.

  15. I observed this self-mutilation in San Pedro, one year. I could probably have been a reason for making participants feel uncomfortable, as I was brought there with some fellow foreigners, when in my late twenties, and had no idea of what to expect. I was so sickened by watching a guy have spikes nailed through his hands – real spikes, real hands, real blood – that I yelled out something like, “It’d probably be faster if you used a (expletive) nail gun!” Once was enough & if I’d known what I’d see I wouldn’t have gone. Heck, I can’t even stomach cock-fights, much to the chagrin of my in-laws & Filipino friends.

      • Well, Bob, I was young & stupid and, certainly, am not proud of such things. While living in Taiwan, I hung around with the same crowd of foreigners with whom I viewed the event in San Pedro. In Taiwan, we tied ourselves to trees to “really” experience a typhoon, took part in Chiayi City fireworks, wherein, people fire rockets up & down the streets, and much other adolescent activities. Getting back to your topic, however, I was appalled at how a person would so willingly suffer such an experience as having spikes driven through his hands. I wish the government would ban such things, but the event seems as popular now as it did when I was there.
        Mike

        • Hi Mike – Well, I have to say… I think we’ve all done stupid things before. I know that I certainly have done more than my fair share!

  16. Hi bob does this thing happen in davoa ,or just other towns ,i am with mike on this one i served 12 years in the army as a grunt in aus but now i cant even watch a medical show on tv without leaving the room sometimes let alone watch someone being nailed to a cros or beating themselves till they are all bloody maybe this is for the devout i think i will just stick to eating fish
    chris

  17. agreed on both points: no reason to discriminate AND no way will i ever also do it.

    in regards to the said foreigner who “made fun” of the event. my memories are vague, but i remember reading about a youngish foreigner who joined the event and secretly filmed himself. i heard he part of a mock/comedy tv show.

    he appeared to be the tv show host and fooled the locals that he was a devout “kano” and really lampooning the whole thing. the locals didn’t know about it until afterwards.

    again don’t quote me on that since my facts are vague & my memory isn’t so great. but that story was the first thing in my mind. i even remember images of it since i read about it in a photo blog.

    • Hi macky – I never heard about that guy who filmed it, or at least I don’t remember hearing about it. That sheds some light on the situation, if that is the reason for it. Still, though, they should not put the actions of on Kano on all. I would expect that the number of foreigners who would want to participate is very small.

      • of course! ban the guy not the ethnicity. that would be the easiest, smartest, simplest & logical thing to do… and in this country, well, you know that that’s not exactly how things are done. too easy.

  18. I was a US Navy photographer stationed in Subic Bay back in the 80’s. I was shooting crew supervisor and training petty officer. For three years I arranged a navy van and organized a shoot in Pampanga.

    It is an amazing event to witness. Mike is right, they do use real spikes in the hands and many do in their feet as well. The spikes are symbolic and are not actually holding the person up, the crucufixee will actually stand on a board so the wieght is not being help up by the spikes but they are surely driven right through their hands and feet.

    The flagellants usually have their backs punctured by a small board with a handle. The board has shards of glass imbedded it. Once punctured they hit the streets with their whips made of bamboo to keep the blood flowing. They then walk from church to church and lay down in front of the church face down with their arms spread in the sign of the cross. The townsfolk will symbolically beat the flagellants with their flip-flops, etc. Dave is right the blood does splatter around. My clothes and camera gear got quite splattered.

    The object, as I understand it, is to repent and to ask forgiveness for their sins. One participant was doing it every year to ask God to unite him with his navy kano father to whom he had no contact with.

    It certainly is a sight to see and I’m really glad I’ve witnessed it. Even if we find it bizarre, if witnessed, one should be reverent and respectful. I have some photos from back then and will try to dig them out and scan them sometime to post. Later, Jeff