"Panata", a sacred pledge, is a Filipino tradition performed during the occasion of the Lenten season as form of religious devotion to the Passion of Christ. Filipinos though poor are richly religious. This devotion though sometimes referred as masochistic, originates as an atonement of sins or thanksgiving for an answered prayers through wounding and scourging of their bodies, and to the extent of getting crucified and hanged on the cross.

The wounding is done with the use of sharp blades or broken glasses attached to a wooden handle. These blades are then tapped quickly at the muscular part of the lower back, left to bleed. the devotees then scourge themselves with a whip, end of which attached 13 pieces of bamboo sticks. They then parade around the town head covered in black, heading to the parochial church, stopping for prayers before proceeding to the river or to the sea.

I followed these devotees as they perform their yearly rituals. Still considered taboo, but this tradition were practiced a century ago and will still be a part of being a Filipino.