Pampanga ‘Kristo’ Ruben Enaje nailed to cross for 36th time on Good Friday
Ruben Enaje (center), in this undated Good Friday photo, plays “Kristo” (Jesus Christ) as he is nailed to a cross in the village of San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, to fulfill a vow. (TONETTE T. OREJAS)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Ruben Enaje remained part of a Lenten season tradition here after he had himself nailed on the cross for the 36th time on Good Friday, along with 10 other men from four villages
Arnold Maniago, 46, Enaje’s “successor”, was nailed to the cross for the 22nd time.
The reenactment of the crucifixion in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in 1962 is credited to itinerant faith healer Artemio Anoza who tied abaca rope on his hands and feet.
The use of long steel nails is traced by Enaje to the late Jesus Piring. When the surrounding villages adopted the rite is unknown.
The real-life crucifixion—to atone for sins, to ask God for favor or as an expression of gratitude—was started by Wilfredo Salvador in Barangay San Juan at 9 a.m.
Salvador, 68, was nailed to the cross for the 17th time, according to Ma. Lourdes Jade Pangilinan, the tourism chief in San Fernando.
In Barangay Sta. Lucia, Fernando Mamangun, 54, submitted to the crucifixion for the 29th time while his son Rolando, 35, proceeded to his second year. Joselito Capili, 60, entered his 23rd year.
In Barangay Del Pilar, the penance was done by Sonny Boy Ambrocio, 46, for the ninth time; Arnold Pangilinan, 56, for the first time; and Crisanto Ramos, 55, second time.
At past noon and until 3 p.m., Joel Ortega, 56, of nearby Bacolor town, took to the cross for the fifth time while Windy Donaire, 49, of adjacent Barangay Sta. Lucia performed the rite for 22nd time.
The street play Via Crucis that, over the years, merged with the crucifixion rite, has a fourth-generation director.
John Navarro, 28, has taken over took over from his father Allan who continued mounting the Way of the Cross from his father Rolando and his grandfather Ricardo, a poet-playwright.
John’s work assured the continuous staging of the passion play.
In the neighboring village of Cabalantian in Bacolor, four people joined the crucifixion, according to Barangay Capt. Alvin Tiongson.
