Pagtu-o

A Ritual of Faith

Self flagellation as an act of mortification has its origins in the 11th century in Italy that spread to Europe including Spain. The practice was introduced in the Philippines by Spanish missionaries during the late 16th century. In the past 400 years, it has been adopted and adapted to become an indigenous ritual. Today, it is mainly performed in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and some provinces in Southern Tagalog and climaxes on Good Friday of Holy Week.

Practitioners, do it as a petition or supplication in the form of a “panata” or vow, sworn for a fixed period of years. It is intended for the healing of a sick relative or a member of the family or, in many instances, as a spiritual investment in the hope that God will grant grace or blessing for the family as well as protection from harm and misfortune.

Flagellants are Roman Catholics. For them, this is the most important and most solemn of days wherein this kind of self mortification is the ultimate expression of sacrifice in order to share in the passion and suffering of Christ.

In the town of Infanta, Quezon, around 5 hours trip east of Manila, the self flagellation practice is unique because of the elaborate costume that these men don. The outfit consists of a skirt, called a “saya” made from dried banana leaves, a flog called the “panyabat”, tipped with wooden pegs and a floral headdress called the “tukarol.” According to studies, parts of the costume were buried before in fields for abundant harvests but now, this agricultural connection is no longer observed.

In the 1950s, as much as 300 men perfomed this ritual. By 2009, only around 30 were to be found.

This work has been shown in:

• International Orange Photo Festival 2010 (Changsha, China)
• Moi de la photo 2010 (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)