Senakulo in Cainta Rizal

[maying]

Holy Week is just a few weeks away. In our place in Cainta, Senakulo usually starts during Holy Monday and ends on Sunday which is called Pasko ng Pagkabuhay. Though devotees in our place are not like those in Pampanga wherein they are really nailed through their hands, the scenes are almost real, with the effects, props and most of all, the actings!

Later on, i'll try to upload pictures taken during the Senakulo last year.

[wowpinay]

I admire the devotion of Filipinos when Holy week comes. Senakulo is a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A lot of people (men and women) do "penitensya" or hurt themselves in many ways (rolling on the streets, crawling until reaching the crucifixion place etc) before they are being crucified. They believe that through this, their sins are being washed away.

Holy week is being observed every year in the Philippines and foreigners never fail to watch it.

[zeeroigh]

i heard that they do allow real hits for their body, but in Cainta, I don't know if they conform at the thought of real nails on their palm during crucifixion.

[exotix]

Originally Posted by zeeroigh

i heard that they do allow real hits for their body, but in Cainta, I don't know if they conform at the thought of real nails on their palm during crucifixion.

Yeah they do hit their own body. In Cainta I'm not really sure if they use real nails. But as far as I know, in other places they do crucify themselves with real nails. When seen on TV, the devotees show their hands/backs and you'll be able to see scars.

[ladygee]

This is one of the highlights on the lenten season, this only shows how strong Filipino faith is..actually the concept is purification through pain, in Carcar Cebu one famous person really have his self nailed this has been his promised for almost a decade..

[zeeroigh]

does DOH has their say on this? you know having yourself nailed, especially if its not thoroughly clean seems not good on the devotees' health. And also when they stay in the heat for the very longest time. does anybody here heard of devotees who got hospitalized by doing their sacrifice?

[aida]

I recall that last year, a DOH official was interviewed on TV regarding their stand on this practice (nailing on the cross). DOH does not encouraged it for medical reasons, but since they do not have the "legal" power to stop it, they advise the participants to take precautionary measures such as having anti-tetanus shot.

[maying]

Well, that's the least they can do, advice the devotees. Good thing some local officials assign an ambulance or a medical team during the Senakulo to be prepared of what may happen during the event.

[pinoytourist]

For whatever motive the pilgrim may have, seeing a person being really crucified gives color to the celebration of Good Friday in the Philippines. One can't help but imagine how worst the suffering of Jesus Christ was. Of course, we are no match (and we could never copy) against what happened to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Imagine, he died on the cross, buried in a rich man's tomb and rose or resurrected on the third day.

[juandlc]

Kind of funny (or even bizarre) to think that somebody would really copy Jesus Christ to the point of dying on the cross and be buried in a tomb. How about resurrecting from death?

Well, whatever portrayal of the Holy Week that Filipinos may do, it shows how they are so serious in creating the ambiance of sacrifice and worship.