Pampanga, known for crucifixions, offers cultural options for pilgrims

MANILA, Philippines - Some 18 kilometers away from actual crucifixions in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in San Fernando, Pampanga, pilgrims can observe alternative Holy Week cultural activities.

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said the city tourism office has lined up many activities for this week, such as a mixed media art exhibit, daily dance performances choreographed by award-winning Peter de Vera, and a two-part theatrical reenactment of the Last Supper, the Crucifixion of Christ and the Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words).

There will also be a Visita Iglesia and Holy Week recollection with Fr. Rocky Evangelista of Tuloy Foundation, De Vera of Bale-Balayan Museum for the Poor and broadcast journalist Kara David as speakers, Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan stressed the “need to keep these religious observances amidst the city’s growth and modernization.”

“This is yet another opportunity for our citizens to preserve and promote our intangible heritage, and that is by safeguarding our traditions and religious practices,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday cautioned that crucifixion and self-flagellation may lead to tetanus infection.

In a press briefing, DOH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy said those doing crucifixion and self-flagellation as acts of penitence may be exposing themselves to tetanus due to contamination of their wounds.

Lee Suy said some flagellants lie on the ground so dirt could easily get into their open wounds.

“We are not in the position to tell them ‘don’t do that’ because that is their faith and that is their penitence, their act of sacrifice. But sometimes even if you use clean instruments, you can still be exposed to possible infection,” he said.

The official said it is important for flagellants to get an anti-tetanus shot before the flagellation to prevent possible infection. He also advised them to consult a doctor so they could take an antibiotic to ensure the faster healing of their wounds.

The DOH also advised flagellants to take Vitamin C to boost their immune system and to make sure that the whips and nails they would be using are clean and rust-free.

Penitents, who are known to dip in rivers after the flogging to speed up the healing process, were also advised to clean their wounds with clean water and soap.

Flagellation is done by some Catholics during the Holy Week to recall the sufferings of Jesus Christ before he was nailed to the cross.

In front of the Quiapo Church in Manila, meanwhile, a “mini-Senakulo” was staged yesterday to show how the continued use of plastic destroys the environment.

At the center of the street play was a suffering woman personifying Mother Earth. She was carrying a wire mesh shaped into a cross and filled with plastic trash.

“This is a factual representation of how our Mother Earth is bearing the brunt of our wasteful consumption of plastic bags and other expendable packaging… akin to carrying a cross,” said Aileen Lucero, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.

Confession

To avoid long queues at confessional boxes, an official of the Archdiocese of Manila yesterday encouraged the faithful to go to confession even before Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

“Our observation is that many of those who attend the Kumpisalang Bayan (mass confessions) are those who have for some time not heard mass. They really wait for the opportunity when the church appeals to them to go to confession,” said RCAM Liturgical Commission assistant director Fr. Carmelo Arada.

Arada encouraged those who often hear mass to take advantage of their frequent visits to the church and “go to confession during the regular confession days.”

“Priests would really take time to hear confessions because in the Philippines, more people go to confession during Holy Week,” he said.

He also said that all baptized Catholics, regardless of age, should go to confession.

“There is no age limit in giving confession because even when a person lies on his or her death bed, they still need to confess in preparation for their death.”

Banking hours

A number of banks announced they would be open only until Wednesday, April 1, in observance of the Lenten season.

These banks include the Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, PSBank and MayBank. Regular banking operations would resume on Monday, April 6.

But the banks gave assurance that their electronic channels – such as automated teller machines, Internet, mobile and phone banking services – would be ready to handle withdrawal transactions.

BDO said its branches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark Forex Counter, City of Dreams Manila and Solaire Manila Resort would be open on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. – With Sheila Crisostomo, Rhodina Villanueva, Evelyn Macairan, Zinnia dela Peña