Stating its history and influence of religion, the Holy Week is well celebrated by Filipinos. It is usual for us to make some sacrifices for the Holy Week as Jesus Christ have sacrificed Himself for humanity. I, on the otherhand, have taken the time to spend for a vacation. Yes, I am a Catholic, and I hope that me, not being as religious as I should be during this week, could be forgiven.
Anyway, while we were travelling the roads to our destination -hundred islands - I was able to personally see the usual "panata" that some men do for sacrifice and forgiveness. They either carry a huge cross while having thorns on their head, barefooted and slapped by other people, like the way Jesus did. Some use a sort of a whip to whip their own backs until they became bloody, swollen and scraped. It was at first heart stopping to see them in such a pain. I was even (sorry for the term) grossed as the blood from their backs splattered on the cars that passes by - including ours. However when I think about it, everything was nothing compared to what Jesus have endured for humanity to be saved from their sins. By now I admire these people for being brave and determined enough to show how they devote themselves to what Jesus have done for all of us.
Here are some of the pictures that I have taken. Parental Guidance is needed as the pictures may portray some blood. I have also intended to post the pictures in b&w to lessen the violence.
 |
| Man whips his own back (back already bloody and scarred) |
 |
| numerous devotees perform the whipping |
No comments:
Post a Comment