It was Holy Week of 2012 when I accompanied my Filipino Australian cousin Jeremy Baltazar to witness one of what can be considered the extreme acts of devotion in the Philippines, the flagellants doing the 'penitensya'. Jeremy said that watching a Filipino penitent engage in self-flagellation is indeed not for the faint of heart. During my younger days, I used to wait for the procession of the 'penitensya' coming from the Malibay area in Pasay City. Perhaps due to curiosity as a child, I usually sit in the sidewalk and wonder why they do this practice every Good Friday.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/496670/self-flagellation-and-crucifixion-as-extreme-expression-of-faith

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