No Good Friday crucifixion in Pampanga amid COVID-19 threat

The annual “crucifixion” of penitents in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga during Holy Week will not take place for the first time in six decades due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019.

The Good Friday rites, which are flocked by some 50,000 pilgrims and tourists annually, were put off by the San Fernando City government as early as March 10 in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

“We respect ‘yung mga religious beliefs, however, binabawal natin po ‘yung mga gatherings, ‘yung mga crowd,” Mayor Edwin Santiago said.

“Huwag po tayong makampante… ‘Yung mga nagpapanata po, ituloy niyo po pero nasa bahay lang kayo,” he added.

Some “magdaramengs” in Barangay Pampang, Angeles City did just that by performing the annual tradition right outside their homes.

“Magdarame” is the Kapampangan term for penitents who flagellate or crucify themselves or carry the cross as a form of atonement during Holy Week.

The practice began in the 1960s and placed Cutud on the map.

Watch this Stand for Truth report by Shai Lagarde to learn more about how COVID-19 will affect the crucifixion in Pampanga. - Julia Mari Ornedo/MDM, GMA News