PENITENCE
Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines
During the Lenten Season in the Philippines, devotees subject themselves to flagellations as penitence for their sins. I happen to meet Jason, a “Darame” (flagellant). For the last two years he has been a devotee crawling on dirt roads and bearing cross under the heat of the sun. This year he decided to take it a little further by beating his bloody back with “burillos” (bamboo whip).
Jason’s crew met in a place where he was tied with abaca rope on his arms and legs. After wearing his black hood to hide his face one of his friends started beating his back until it turns red and numb. 60 wounds were inflicted on his swollen back. He started walking and scourging himself under the 2 o’clock sun making a stop on every church along the way, embracing the church’s floor and saying his prayers. During his journey he was followed mostly by curious children who have no trepidation on the sight of blood. After a long walk he was untied, drunk water and took a bath to wash away all the blood that was spilled during his torment.
I asked him, “Why are you doing this to yourself?” he answered “this is my sacrifice”.
Jason’s crew met in a place where he was tied with abaca rope on his arms and legs. After wearing his black hood to hide his face one of his friends started beating his back until it turns red and numb. 60 wounds were inflicted on his swollen back. He started walking and scourging himself under the 2 o’clock sun making a stop on every church along the way, embracing the church’s floor and saying his prayers. During his journey he was followed mostly by curious children who have no trepidation on the sight of blood. After a long walk he was untied, drunk water and took a bath to wash away all the blood that was spilled during his torment.
I asked him, “Why are you doing this to yourself?” he answered “this is my sacrifice”.