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Christians undergo mock crucifixion on Good Friday in San Fernando, Philippines, as Easter is celebrated this weekend. Devotees believe that extreme pain is a way to atone for sin, receive a miracle cure for an illness, or give thanks to God.
American tourist Luke Henkel, who witnessed the ceremony, said: “There’s this sense of getting caught up in the crowd, you know, and it’s kind of stultifying. That’s the only word that I can think of. Like, you just lose yourself in the heat, the noise, the crowd, and the, you know, people are shouting and it seems almost real at some points. So it’s very strong.”
The celebration mixes Roman Catholicism with local folk beliefs about sacrifices and miracles.