MANILA, Philippines – To this day, hundreds of Filipino Catholics still practice mortification during Holy Week — from self-flagellation to crucifixion.

“Matagal ko nang panata ito mula nang mapagaling ang isa kong anak sa malubhang karamdaman,” 37-year-old meat butcher Rolando Lapid said. (I have made this vow since one of my children got healed from a grave illness.) He spoke to Rappler while his back was cut by someone using a sharp blade to allow the blood to gush out of the wounds inflicted by self-whipping.

He is not alone.

From Holy Thursday to Good Friday, hundreds of half-naked, hooded male penitents march along the narrow alleys in the village of Malibay in Pasay City. Shodless they walk under the intense summer heat, constantly whipping their backs with burillos or bamboo whips until they bleed.

Every hundred meters, the penitents would drop to the concrete pavement to have themselves beaten by a paddle until they reach a makeshift altar to say their prayers.

Penitents believe the ritual will cleanse them from their sins, heal them and their families, and convince God to grant their wishes.

Lapid added that this form of penitence will not only protect him and his family, but make them closer to God.

“Madalas sa hirap ng buhay kailangan natin magsumikap at kadalasan sa kasipagan nakakalimutan natin ang Panginoon. Ang penitensya ay pagpapaalaala sa atin kay Hesukristo – na magpasalamat sa mga biyayang ibinigay niya at pagtitika sa ating mga kasalan,” he said. (Often, because of our difficult lives, we need to work harder, and many times, because of our hard work, we forget the Lord. This penitence reminds us of Jesus Christ – that we should thank him for his graces and atone for our sins.)

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), for its part, has been discouraging Filipinos from performing such mortification.

Instead, the CBCP suggests prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent.

Despite this, for penitents, the ritual of mortification remains a sacred vow.

– Rappler.com