Construction worker will be first to be crucified in Bataan

BALANGA City - A 26-year-old construction worker will have the distinction of being the first to be nailed to the cross in Bataan.

 

On Good Friday this year, Renato dela Cruz of Cupang Proper, Balanga City, will be crucified during the reenactment of the death of Jesus Christ in a senakulo in the said barangay.

 

Long before the much-publicized Cutud crucifixions in San Fernando, Pampanga, street plays on the life of Jesus have been going on in some towns of Bataan like Samal, Abucay and Orani for many years. However, the hands of those portraying Jesus were merely tied on the cross.

 

After playing Judas for nine years, Dela Cruz decided to portray the role of Jesus and consented to be nailed to the cross.

 

He said that his wife and parents were discouraging him not to but he is determined to proceed with the crucifixion. “Sarili ko itong desisyon sapagka’t may panata ako,” he said. 

 

“Pinipigilan naming mag-asawa pero may panata raw siya kaya sabi ko na lamang mag-ingat siya, maagang matulog at uminom ng gatas,” said his mother Asuncion, 54. “Ingat siya at huwag magpupuyat,” said Dela Cruz's children Shena Marie, 8, and Sam, 6.

 

Jun Domeng, one of the senakulo’s organizers, said they have sought the help of the City Health Center on cleaning and sterilizing the two stainless nails to be used for the crucifixion.

 

“Ang pagganap sa senakulo ay hindi lamang dahil sa panata namin para sa aming pamilya kundi para malaman ng mga tao kung ano ang nangyari noong nakaraan. Natutuwa kami na pumayag si Renato dela Cruz na magpapako sa krus,” Domeng said.

 

Geofrey Timbang, another organizer, said they have X-rayed the hands of dela Cruz to ensure his safety. “Sabi ng doktor, sa gitna ng palad pakuan at iwasan ang buto,” he said, showing the spot on Dela Cruz's palm where the nails should go through.

 

Milagros Cruz, a resident, said that in her 60 years, she has not seen anyone who was nailed to the cross on Holy Week. “Mas maganda magpapako dahil doon malalaman ang tunay na kahulugan ng Mahal na Araw,” Cruz said.

 

She was among many others who watched the rehearsal of the senakulo at the covered court of barangay Cupang North.

 

Dr. Ben Bautista, Rural Health II physician of Balanga City, said the use of dirty nails will cause infection or tetanus. Nailing through the wrong part of the palm may hurt the veins or cause bones to crack.

 

“Dapat hindi na magpapako. Pero kung magpapapako, dapat sterilized at stainless ang pako. Kapag binunot na ang pako, gamitan ng first aid, hugasan at lagyan ng antiseptic at takpan ang sugat para hindi dapuan ng insekto,” Bautista said. 

 

Church officials frown on crucifixions

 

Officials of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, however, reminded penitents to offer prayers instead of doing extreme forms of sacrifice such as crucifixion and self-flagellation this Holy Week. 

 

"Let us concentrate more on the prayers.... These are the wonderful ways of celebrating the Holy Week," CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said in an article posted Tuesday on the Union of Catholic Asian News website.

 

But Rev. Fr. Abraham Pantig, parish priest of St. Joseph Cathedral in Balanga City, said the Catholic Church has no law to enforce on those undergoing penitence common during the Holy Week. “Wala namang batas pero ang simbahan ay may ibinibigay na pag-aaral upang maliwanagan ang ibig sabihin ng pagpepenitensiya,” he said.

 

Pantig said that what the Lord Jesus Christ said about carrying His Cross daily and following Him should not be taken literally. “Ang ginawa ng Panginoong HesuKristong pagpapakasakit, pagkamatay at pagkabuhay na muli ay minsan lang ginawa at Siya lamang ang gumawa.” 

 

“Ang pagpapahirap ng physical sa katawan tulad ng pagpapapako sa Krus ay hindi masasabing akma sa pananampalatayang Kristiyano,” Pantig said.

 

“Ang Mahal na Araw ay nagpapaalaala sa atin ng lubos na pagbabago, pagtalikod sa kasalanan at pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos,” Pantig said. —KG, GMA News