A 55-year-old woman collapses after prayerful crucifixion

Far from the theatrical annual reenactment of Christ's crucifixion in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, a small group of devotees on Good Friday joined a procession to San Vicente Church in Bacolor.

A handful of spectators attended the crucifixion of three devotees at 9am, one of which was an elderly woman named Elsie Cunanan.

Elsie, 55, said that the crucifixion was done early in the morning because they wanted a solemn event not populated by people who only see them as the subject of photography. In fact, most of them were apprehensive about being interviewed, as they think of the possible comparisons to the spectacle in Cutud.

Spectators snap photos of Elsie Cunanan crucified in San Vicente Bacolor Pampanga. Photos: Ruston Banal.

This is not Elsie's first crucifixion. Her panata or vow began in Magalang and she continued joining when she moved to Bacolor. The annual sacrifice is done for her mother, whose legs have been impaired by an unspecified disease.

Elsie shed in tears when she talked about her Mother. She said that the pain she endures is worth it if her mother's health improves.

On standby are medics and security personnel, suggesting that the barangay organized the event. The nails that were used were sanitized before they were pinched to the palm of the three "Kristo."

Elsie was last among the three today who were crucified on Good Friday. There were tears on her face when they raised her cross up.

Elsie collapsed after the nail was pulled out from her palm.

Asked what was she was feeling right then, she said that she concentrated on praying and that she hopes that as she experienced the pain Jesus Christ went through, God heard her prayer.

Elsie was on the cross for 15 minutes and as she was brought down, she collapsed. She was unconscious for a while, but was attended to by the crew of the Barangay San Vicente.

The Department of Health and the Catholic Media Network are actively campaigning against penitensiya or penance that involves self-flagellation and crucifixions due to the risk of infection.

However, President and CEO of the Catholic Media Network Fr. Francis Lucas admitted that dissuading devotees is a difficult task. ""Pero, paano mo pipigilan 'yong may panata — nabuhay 'yong anak nila, mayroon silang hihiniling sila Diyos ... mahirap 'yon pigilan," he said in an interview with GMA News.

In Cutud, nine devotees were crucified, one of which was an elderly man named Ruben Enaje.

Ruben, 57, has been portraying Jesus Christ for 32 years. Due to old age and the ritual's impact on his health, Ruben said he might be taking part in the crucifying rites for only two more years.

Over 50,000 tourists are expected to watch him and the others in Cutud. — AT, GMA News