Catholic devotees, known as mamalaspas (flagellants), perform self-flagellation on Good Friday.
The bamboo whips seem to be derived from medieval Christian whips (“disciplines”). However, without seeing the practice in person, I didn't realize that the bamboo whips do not cause any real damage - so where does the blood come from?
It turns out that devotees stop from time to time, and their friends cut their backs with razors or with peculiar tools made with shards of glass.
Self-flagellation, unlike the crucifixions, appears to be entirely community-driven and not officially sanctioned by the local government. There are no schedules available, and the processions aren’t exactly easy to stumble upon. However, they are not banned, unlike some similar practices, such as Ashura self-flagellation in several Shia Muslim countries.
In essence, the ritual functions as a public expression of faith: a form of penitence, a prayer for specific intentions or just a way to keep the community spirits high.
San Fernando, Philippines, 2026.04.10