Easter

It all started in 1521, when a certain Señor Magellan landed in the Philippines and claimed the place for Spain. His first job was to christianise the population. Hordes of missionaries arrived to persuade the people that the sado-masichism of Christianity was preferable to their mystic beliefs. On Good Friday huge numbers of penitents flagellate themselves using glass spiked leather whips on their bare backs, some dragging wooden crosses for a noon crucifixion. 85% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic and while most are passionate feet-kissers of statues of Christ, they leave back-scouring and nailing to a devout few.

“After 500 years of indoctrination, the Filipinos have embraced the ‘M’ of ‘S&M’. Today the greatest manifestation of this is seen every Easter”

Philip Jones Griffiths

“The most unusual crucifixion I photographed was that of a young girl, 12 years old. She was perfectly composed whilst her hands and feet were nailed to the cross. Her mother wept hysterically.”

Philip Jones Griffiths