BREITBART – The small town of San Pedro Cutud in the Philippines continued its annual tradition of staging real crucifixions to mark Good Friday, honoring its most prolific participant, carpenter Ruben Enaje, with the bloody ritual for a 36th time.
Enaje, 64 years old, told reporters that he expects this to be his last year nailed to a cross, as he “really can’t do it anymore.” He was one of ten men crucified this year, the highest number in recent memory.
The Philippines is one of the world’s most Catholic countries, boasting a nearly 80 percent Catholic population. In addition to Catholics, another 6.5 percent of Filipinos identify as another denomination of Christian, meaning over 85 percent of the country observers Holy Week and the subsequent Easter holiday.
According to the Filipino Inquirer, the tradition in San Pedro Cutud, Pampanga, began in 1962, initially with participants tied up to the cross. Enaje, considered the keeper of the tradition, reportedly did not recall when the rope was replaced by real nails. The man, who formally plays Jesus in the Passion play reenacted on Good Friday, began submitting to annual crucifixions in 1986 after falling off of a building while working as a carpenter.
