Dozens of hooded men marched barefoot whipping themselves with bamboo whips in the scorching sun near the capital Manila, some carrying wooden crosses as they were beaten.
Roy Balatbather skin scraped, walked for about a mile beating herself and stopping to bow down and pray on hot ground.
–
“It is trying but if you have a wish, you will bear the pain. I’ve been doing this for 30 years, since I was a young man. My dedication means that I will only stop when I can no longer do it,” the 49-year-old man told AFP. Hagonoyprovince of Bulacan.
If most of the faithful of this predominantly Catholic nation spend the Friday holy in church or in family, others go to extremes to expiate their sins or claim divine intervention.
–
–
Before the flogging commencethe men’s bare backs are deliberately pierced to make them bleed.
Regulars take the opportunity to flaunt their scars from previous whippings, while others experience the punishing act for the first time.
“I inflict the wound on the penitents, if there is not much blood coming out, they will ask for another one so that their sins are forgiven. They will not feel the pain during their repentance, as long as they are sincere in their approach”, explains Reynaldo Tolentino51 ans.
–
