Cutud crucifixion an all-men affair

RUBEN Enaje shows off nails which are pounded into his hands and feet every Good Friday. E.I. REYMOND T. OREJAS/CONTRIBUTOR

FEWER MEN are taking to crosses in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, and it has remained an all-men affair.

In 1986, 17 men were crucified. In 2014, they counted 12 namely Ruben Enaje, Danish filmmaker Lasse Spang Olsen, 48, Jerry Manansala, 27, Alfredo Patdo, 53, and Victor Caparas, 50, all from Cutud; Bob Velez, 76, of Sto Niño, Ramil Lazaro, 42, of San Jose; Arnold Maniago, 35, of Mexico town; Angelito Mengilo, 39, of Magalang town; Romelito Vergara, 39, of Apalit town; and Bobby Gomez, 43, of Quezon province. The 12th penitent went unidentified. In 2010, only five men had themselves crucified in Cutud.

From just Cutud, crucifixion sites exist now in Barangay Sta. Lucia, San Juan, San Nicolas and Northville in the City of San Fernando; Barangay Lourdes North West in Angeles City; Barangay San Vicente in Bacolor town; and in San Luis town.

Foreigners are prohibited from joining crucifixion rites in Cutud as well as in nearby Barangay Santa Lucia and San Juan, according to Ferdinand Caylao, chair of this year’s Maleldo (Holy Week) committee. Unruly behaviors by foreigners led to the ban.

Politicians and election candidates are banned from talking during the program or from displaying their campaign materials in the three villages, Caylao said.

Also banned are child flagellants who wound their backs with glass shards or blades.

For the first time, five closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in Cutud for security reasons, Caylao said.

The city government of San Fernando is starting its heritage tours before and after the crucifixion rites. Business enterprises will sell pasalubong (gift) and native food. Home stays in accredited houses are allowed in the three villages.