Mabuhay ng Pilipinas, motherfuckers! It’s that of year again for my personal Good Friday observance. First, the obligatory theme song. Listen as you read on. [ETA: forgot the bloody video.]
This year gives us not one, but TWO stories from my motherland. First, a sad note…
Earlier, the only requirement to participate in the annual crucifixion rites in Philippines was that the person needed to be a Catholic. However, this year only local Filipinos can participate.
Harvey Quiwa, chairperson of the committee in charge of the 2015 Holy Week rites, announced the ban stating that this year all efforts will be made to ensure that the Lenten rites do “not become a circus.”
Well, that really fucks up my plans.
Then again, my plans haven’t been fucked up like our good friend Ruben’s…
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—Still without a successor, signboard maker Ruben Enaje has been obliged to extend his real-life crucifixion act for another year, making the Good Friday reenactment in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in this Pampanga capital on April 3 his 29th year so far
Enaje said he was hoping that the council finds an appropriate replacement for him soon because his aging body can not bear further pain.
Enaje really wants out, though…
“The spots on my hands and feet that are pierced yearly get healed in six months but the pain on my right shoulder where I carry a big wooden cross persists year round,” he said.
We all have our crosses to bear, but damn.