AP PHOTOS: Devout in the Philippines mark Holy Week with flagellations, processions and passion play
Residents watch as costumed men parade the streets and flagellate themselves using whips made of wood. The ritual is frowned upon by the church.
Luis Bautista, 27, says he does this so he can experience the hardships of Christ and also pray for the safety of his family.
Penitent Jayve Lorenzo, who has been participating in flagellation rituals for 19 years, says he offers his vow during the holy week because of family problems and to pray for good health.
The penitents, mostly residents, walk under the scorching heat and stop at stations to pray or take a water break. They can be seen dancing as they whip their backs shortly after prayers.
Baby Ragaza leaves boiled eggs and water in front of her house for the penitents to take a break. She does this in memory of her late husband and to bring herself closer to God. 'I am just happy to help and ease their hardships.' she says.
After going around town, the penitents hike to a small waterfall to wash the blood from their backs.
Meanwhile, residents of nearby Paete, a town of 25,000 people, pushed life-size images of Christ and saints during an evening procession around small roads on Holy Wednesday. The following day, a play was performed at the town plaza under the scorching summer heat as part of Maundy Thursday rites.
Rowell Ybanez, parish pastoral council moderator of Saint James the Apostle, said the lenten rituals in their town have been carried on for hundreds of year, attracting tourists to a town known for wood carvings.
Ybanez said Paete is one of the most colorful towns in the Philippines 'because art and faith are intertwined in our town.'
Various lenten rituals are practiced all over the Philippines. Some people even hang themselves from a cross, to strengthen their faith in God.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Scotsman
Second arrest after protest outside former hotel housing asylum seekers
Police Scotland have confirmed a second arrest following Saturday's protest. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A second man has been charged and appeared in court on Monday following Saturday's protest at a former hotel in Falkirk housing asylum seekers. Police Scotland said one arrest came after a report of indecent exposure. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A 26-year-old man was arrested after trying to break through the police cordon as officers tried to keep two groups of protesters apart outside the former Cladhan Hotel in the town's Kemper Avenue. He was given a recorded police warning. Two men were charged following Saturday's protest. Picture: Michael Gillen Officers had closed the road for public safety earlier in the day, with the route only reopening shortly before 9pm. It came as two groups held rallies outside the former hotel. A local group Save Our Future & Our Kids Future had announced a protest on 'uncontrolled immigration' to begin at midday. Stand up to Racism, Falkirk Trades Union Council and local residents then announced they would hold a counter protest beginning an hour earlier. Initially police officers were able to keep both sides apart on either side of the road while vehicles could still pass. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, as the numbers grew, they were forced to close off the road at Arnott Street and further along Kemper Avenue as people spilled on to the carriageway. Police said investigations into some of the banners shown on Saturday in Falkirk were continuing. Pic: Michael Gillen The building is being used by the Home Office and its contractor Mears to house asylum seekers until they can be processed. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received a report of indecent exposure in the Kemper Avenue area of Falkirk around 3.10pm on Saturday, August 16. A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, August 18.' Police have confirmed they are continuing enquiries concerning several of the banners that were displayed on Saturday. One had a skull with the message 'Kill 'em all, Let God sort 'em out'. Another said 'No to Islam'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meanwhile, Falkirk Council has strongly denied claims that the asylum seekers are being housed locally ahead of people living in this area. On Sunday, the Save Our Future & Our Kids Future posted on social media: 'Over the past few days, we've received several concerning reports directly from workers inside Falkirk Council's homeless department. These are people on the ground, doing their jobs, and what they are telling us is deeply worrying.' They claimed that female staff did not feel safe visiting the asylum seekers, who were being 'fast tracked' into local homeless accommodation ahead of local people. In a statement, the local authority has denied all of these comments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a number of false claims on social media following the protest outside the Cladhan Hotel at the weekend. 'To be clear, Falkirk Council has no role in placing asylum seekers at the Cladhan Hotel. The hotel's use is managed by Mears Group on behalf of the Home Office, and any questions about numbers or operations should be directed to them. 'The cost of accommodation and meals at the hotel is met entirely by the Home Office and Falkirk Council offers no financial assistance to any of those adult asylum seekers. Financial allowances come from the Home Office. 'Our homelessness service is not involved and has no contact with adult asylum seekers at the hotel. No asylum seekers have been given priority access or fast-tracked into council housing or homeless accommodation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Civil action over alleged police collusion in 1970's loyalist murder of a Catholic teen struck out
A civil action over alleged police collusion in the loyalist murder of a Catholic teenager more than 50 years ago is to be struck out, the High Court has ruled. The sister of Eileen Doherty sued the Chief Constable amid claims that the RUC operated and controlled members of the paramilitary organisation responsible for killing her in south Belfast.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
Child, 2, dies after family struck by car 'smashing through barrier'
A two-year-old child has been killed after a young driver crashed into a family at a car park last night. Local news sources reported that the fledgling driver had crashed into a man, woman and a young child at Gorrell Tank car park in Whitstable, Kent. The two-year-old child was sadly confirmed dead at the scene at around 8.15pm on Saturday. A witness said the incident was 'very serious and very sad'. They told Kent Online that they had been advised by a man not to take their children to where they had parked. She added:'When my husband came back with the car, he said lots of people were crying.' A man, in his 20s, was arrested at the scene for causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody. A Kent Police spokesman appealed for witnesses and people with dash-cam footage to come forward. He said: 'Kent Police was called to the junction of Harbour Street and Cromwell Road, at 8.24pm on Saturday 16 August 2025 following a report of an incident involving a car and multiple pedestrians. 'A man suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. A two-year-old child was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. His next of kin has been informed.' Three fire engines attended the scene of the incident, which is thought to have involved two cars. A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said in a statement: 'We sent three ambulances and two Critical Care Paramedics to the scene. More Trending 'Our crews treated three patients at the scene – an adult male, an adult female and a young child.' 'The child was in a very serious condition and the male had received serious injuries.' Canterbury City Council, which operates the car park, said its 'thoughts are with everyone affected' by the incident. It said that the car park had since reopened and officers are on site to 'offer help and support'. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: First picture of girl, 13, who died after teen released on bail for 'murder and rape' MORE: 'One of a kind' mother dies after being found unconscious in alleyway by school MORE: 'Brazen' drug dealers selling cocaine during Mass at the UK's biggest Catholic cathedral
