Willy Salvador (C), 60, hangs from a cross as part of his penitence during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga, north of Manila on April 14, 2017. Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction. ALL PHOTOS FROM / NOEL CELIS
San Juan is one of at least three villages in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga that hold daylong passion plays every Good Friday depicting the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
The other two are San Jose and Sta. Lucia.
The events are capped by men being nailed to crosses, and also feature bare-chested men whipping their backs bloody.
READ: 5 men nailed to crosses in Pampanga city, 9 more to go
The Good Friday ritual is not recommended by religious leaders in the Philippines, Asia’s largest Roman Catholic nation, but the gory event has persisted.
The decades-long tradition of flagellation and crucifixion continues to draw huge crowds in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.
Here are some photos of the sacrifices made by these devotees. IDL
Participants whip their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga, north of Manila on April 14, 2017. Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction.
Willy Salvador (bottom), 60, hangs from a cross as part of his penitence during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga, north of Manila on April 14, 2017.
Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction.
Participants whip their bloodied backs with bamboo as part of their penitence during the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga, north of Manila on April 14, 2017.Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction.
Participants lie on the ground after whipping their backs during a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ ceremony for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of San Juan, Pampanga, north of Manila on April 14, 2017.
Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction.
Local tourists pose by crosses before a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of Cutud near San Fernando, north of Manila on April 14, 2017.
Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
Local tourists pose by crosses before a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for Good Friday celebrations ahead of Easter in the village of Cutud near San Fernando, north of Manila on April 14, 2017. Devotees in the fervently Catholic Philippines nailed themselves to crosses and whipped their backs in extreme acts of faith that have become an annual tourist attraction.