A 65-year-old Filipino carpenter has taken part in his final Easter crucifixion reenactment after 37 years, but refused to be whipped, kicked or slapped by actors playing Roman soldiers. Ruben Enaje, from Pampanga province in the Philippines, decided this year would be his last 'sacrifice' due to his age and weakened lungs.
Enaje, who began the ritual after surviving a fall from a three-storey building in 1985, carried a 20kg cross for half a mile before being nailed to it for ten minutes. Unlike previous years, only his palms were pierced with alcohol-soaked steel nails, sparing his feet. His wife had urged him to stop the annual spectacle because of his health.
The event, which draws crowds to three rural communities north of Manila, has made Enaje a local celebrity. He said he struggled to turn down requests from villagers to pray for sick relatives while performing the ritual. This year, he prayed for world peace, noting that conflicts in three countries affect the entire globe.
Enaje previously voiced concerns about the war in Ukraine, saying innocent people, especially the young and old, suffer. He considered his crucifixion a thanksgiving for his 'second life' after the 1985 accident, and extended it following recoveries of loved ones from illnesses and increased job contracts.
The tradition of crucifixion reenactments in the Philippines dates back to the 1940s or 1950s, according to Enaje, who heard about it from his grandfather. Despite his decision to stop, he hopes his final act brings peace and healing to others.
