PREVIEW

Penitents perform self-flagellation during Good Friday rites in Barangay Bangkulasi.

The practice is part of Holy Week, when Filipino Catholics commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

In the Philippines, some devotees observe extreme acts of penance such as self-flagellation and voluntary crucifixion as expressions of faith and repentance.

These practices are discouraged by the Catholic Church, which instead promotes prayer and reflection