Ruben Enaje prays for Middle East peace during crucifixion reenactment in Pampanga

Lenten devotee Ruben Enaje said he prayed for the end of war in the Middle East as he lay crucified on the cross as Jesus Christ at the Maleldo 2026 in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“Matigil na ‘yung giyera sa Gitnang Silangan. Iyon po ang ipinalangin ko sa itaas ng krus. Kasi tatlo lang ‘yung naglalaban, buong mundo na ang nasasaktan, isa na tayo roon,” Enaje said in a "24 Oras" report by Chino Gaston.

(The war in the Middle East should stop. That's what I prayed for on the cross. Only three countries are fighting, but the whole world is hurting, including the Philippines.)

Enaje, who has been playing the role of Jesus Christ for 37 years, was nailed to one of the three crosses erected on a hill during the Via Crucis reenactment on Good Friday.

Enaje started his vow in the 80s as gratitude for his recovery from a work accident.

Previously, Enaje said he would retire from portraying Jesus Christ and participating in the crucifixion rites, a decision he later reversed.

Due to the extreme heat, some spectators collapsed and received first aid during the event.

Organizers were also challenged, as some people wanted to get close to the actors at the Senakulo.

Organizers were surprised that many visitors came to the event despite the high price of oil and the heat.

“In-expect din natin na magkakaroon ng epekto ‘yung pong krisis na nangyayari ngayon. Pero, nakita niyo naman, marami pa rin po. Ang napagkasunduan po namin, estimate at this time, ng ating PNP, dito po sa site, is more or less 8,000 ‘yun pong mga naging bisita po natin,” said Raymond Del Rosario of the CDRRMO of San Fernando, Pampanga.

(We expected that the current crisis would have an effect. But, as you can see, there are still many who came. We have agreed on an estimate with the PNP of more or less 8,000 visitors.)

Meanwhile, the number of visitors was about 15,000 at the four other crucifixion sites in San Fernando. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA Integrated News