One time in Angeles City, Philippines, I found myself in a surreal situation that felt like a scene from a movie. It was Good Friday, a significant day for the devoutly Catholic Filipinos. Curious about a big event happening, myself and some fellow travelers decided to check it out. What we witnessed was beyond what I could have imagined – hooded individuals carrying crosses, people self-flagellating until they bled, and supporters following, some even joining in on the whipping. It was quite a shock to see how Good Friday was observed here.
Surprisingly, this event was meant to be family-friendly. Along the way, you could buy snacks, balloon animals, and Filipino halo-halo (a popular ice cream dessert), all kept behind plastic sheets to avoid blood splatters. I even had to protect myself with a plastic coat as blood occasionally splattered on my arms from the participants.
The climax of the event was when everyone gathered in a field with three giant crosses. The atmosphere was tense, the sun scorching, and dust devils swirling sand as we eagerly awaited the spectacle. As music filled the air, resembling a soundtrack from a Hans Zimmer movie, individuals dressed as Romans appeared, starting an elaborate reenactment. Amidst the theatrics, a Jesus character was brought on stage, enduring simulated whipping and being nailed to the cross.
What struck me first was the Jesus character’s numerous upper-body tattoos, giving a modern twist to the biblical portrayal. Surprisingly, despite the use of real nails, there were no screams as ‘Jesus’ was crucified. After a brief disinfection and the nailing, he hung on the cross before being taken down, everyone bowing, and he was carried away, with the Pirates of the Caribbean theme playing in the background.
It was an experience that left me stunned, witnessing such a unique and intense observance of Good Friday.
