SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – As the province commemorates Good Friday today, the younger generation has raised questions on traditional acts of penance, stating that physical sacrifice is unnecessary compared to sincere faith and prayer.

Mervin, 20, from Arayat, who joined friends to witness the Senakulo in Barangay Calulut, said that while he was there, he does not believe that hurting oneself is the right way to atone for sins.

"True penance is not like this. Why do they do it this way? People usually do this only when they are sick or asking for something to be cured. If there is no illness, there is no need to do it this way," he said in the vernacular. "God did not say we should punish ourselves."

Kimberlyn Reyes echoed the same sentiment, describing the rituals as excessive and no longer relevant.

"It is not important anymore. It seems like it is just being done for show. Even if you do this, it does not lessen your sins. They are not Jesus Christ. It seems like a waste of time; you can just pray instead."

However, Arnold Tungco, a resident of the same barangay, emphasized respect for belief and culture.

"For them, that is their faith. It is a personal choice. We do not necessarily have to imitate what Jesus carried. But despite the traffic, the people of Calulut support this yearly activity. It is a tradition that cannot be removed anymore."

Earlier on Friday, thousands of penitents, accompanied by their families, devotees, and barangay officials, participated in the traditional re-enactment of Christ’s passion or Senakulo, with some performing the “Tira Bakal” or self-flagellation in four villages – Juliana, Sta. Teresita, Calulut, and San Jose.

In Brgy. Calulut alone, around 100 'Magdarame' or penitents were clad only in denim pants, their faces covered and wearing crowns of thorns. They whipped their backs until bloodied, enduring the pain and scorching heat as an offering of faith.

Four devotees portrayed Jesus Christ carrying heavy wooden crosses while being beaten by actors dressed as Roman soldiers.

Moreover, actual crucifixion rites are being held in four other villages – San Juan, Del Pilar, Sta. Lucia, and San Pedro Cutud.

While many respect the tradition, some onlookers expressed that the ritual has lost its deeper meaning or significance.

"I hope they are truly doing this with sincerity and not just for show," said Lydia, who asked not to be named. "Sometimes it feels like the tradition is no longer solemn."

The San Fernando Archbishop has repeatedly discouraged the bloody practice, noting there are other ways to profess one's faith aside from self-inflicted pain.