Philippine Crucifixions 2009- Sta. Lucia and San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga - THE MUSIC VIDEO!

Actual crucifixions and self-flagellation in the streets of San Fernando, Pampanga- a city about 2-3 hours north of Manila during Good Friday. The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites (alternatively known as Maleldo) is the Holy Week re-enactment of the passion and death of Christ and takes place in an open field on the outskirts of San Fernando City, Pampanga in the Philippines. Penitents (mostly men, although there were rare instances of women) are nailed to a cross using 5 cm stainless steel nails. The Catholic Church does not sanction the crucifixions and does not endorse them, however, thousands still descend to Pampanga to watch these rites being performed for the past decades. Whilst San Pedro Cutud is the most famous (and prominently displayed on foreign and local media) there are also two other smaller sites within the vicinity of the city that perform similar activities. Penitents whipping themselves and street-plays are are also widespread in the streets of the city.

Pictures at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-242027
CNN version at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-241977

Philippine Crucifixions 2009 as seen on CNN iReport and HL_N

Actual crucifixions and self-flagellation in the streets of San Fernando, Pampanga- a city about 2-3 hours north of Manila during Good Friday. The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites (alternatively known as Maleldo) is the Holy Week re-enactment of the passion and death of Christ and takes place in an open field on the outskirts of San Fernando City, Pampanga in the Philippines. Penitents (mostly men, although there were rare instances of women) are nailed to a cross using 5 cm stainless steel nails. The Catholic Church does not sanction the crucifixions and does not endorse them, however, thousands still descend to Pampanga to watch these rites being performed for the past decades. Whilst San Pedro Cutud is the most famous (and prominently displayed on foreign and local media) there are also two other smaller sites within the vicinity of the city that perform similar activities. Penitents whipping themselves and street-plays are are also widespread in the streets of the city.

Pictures at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-242027
CNN version at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-241977

Filmed and edited by Ryan Buaron and Scott Allford

Watch out for the Extended Play version with music. :)

The Pampanga Crucifixions 2009

The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites is a Holy Week re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and Death which takes place in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando, Pampanga in the Philippines.

It includes a passion play culminating with the actual nailing of at least three penitents to a wooden cross atop the makeshift Calvary.

Events

Every year on Good Friday or the Friday before Easter a dozen or so penitents - mostly men but with the occasional woman - are taken to a rice field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, 3km (2 miles) from the proper of City of San Fernando, Pampanga and nailed to a cross using two-inch (5 cm) stainless steel nails that have been soaked in alcohol to disinfect them. The penitents are taken down when they feel cleansed of their sin. Other penitents flagellate themselves using bamboo sticks tied to a rope.

2008 Crucifixion

On March 21, 2008, Pampanga carpenter Ruben Enage, 47, was nailed to a wooden cross on Good Friday for the 22nd time, since his first in 1985. 25 other penitents, including two women, were nailed on wooden cross on Good Friday in San Pedro Cutud. Central Luzon crucifixion reenactments were also held yearly, in Angeles City, Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, and in Bulacan.

Criticism

The Catholic Church does not approve of the crucifixions and does not endorse them. The media has also turned against the rites, calling them "pagan and barbaric" but generally admitting they are still a good show.