Sun-baked skin. Stubbly white beard. Long, wavy hair. Unflattering nose. White T-shirt. Checkered shorts. Flip-flops.

He looks nothing like the Jesus Christ that Roman Catholics knew from paintings, statues or children’s books, but 49-year-old Ruben Enaje has been known as "The Jesus" of Barangay Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga, for 25 years – practically half of his life.

Today, Good Friday, Enaje, a sign artist by profession, will once again re-enact the crucifixion of Christ, nails-through-hands and all, at the grotto that has also become the namesake of the town. Twenty-one others will also be crucified, either in Cutud or Paombong, Bulacan.

Like Christ in the Bible, Enaje will be flanked by two men tied to their own crosses.

Between 20,000 and 30,000 of the faithful are expected to witness this deeply entrenched Cutud custom, which understandably attracts scores of foreign tourists yearly. Where else in the world is there people willing to "live the death" of Jesus Christ out of sheer faith?

Unwilling to give the same reception, however, is the Catholic Church. The Manila Bulletin on Monday quoted Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David as saying that the reenactment "does nothing for the teachings of the Church" and called it a "tourist activity."

Enaje understood what the priest wanted to point out. "Sabi kasi ng mga pari, hindi na dapat gayahin yung pagpapako kay Kristo (The priests say that you should not imitate the crucifixion of Christ)," he said.

"Kapag nagpapako ako hindi ko naman sinusubukang iligtas yung mga taong nanonood sa akin. Ginagawa ko ito bilang sarili kong panata at pasasalamat (It’s not like I try to save the spectators who watch me when I’m being nailed to the cross. I do it as my own calling and as a way of saying thanks)," Enaje explained in a very soft voice.

The man known as the local "Jesus" reckoned that the Church might have been taken aback by the strong following that the Cutud has gained in the past few years.

"Nagpapapako na rin ang mga tao sa Tarlac at Bulacan. Baka nagpa-panic ang simbahan (There are now crucifixions in Tarlac and Bulacan. Maybe the Church is panicking)," Enaje said.

As for the tourists and non-religious folk who inadvertently give the Cutud a "spectacle" feel, Enaje said that he doesn’t mind them for as long as he fulfills his purpose there.

"Hindi ko saklaw ang damdamin ng mga nanonood. Pero kapag ako na ang nakapako sa gitna, pakiramdam ko buong puso kong napapasalamatan ang Diyos (I don’t know what other people feel. But when I’m there nailed on the middle cross, I feel as though I am wholeheartedly thanking God)."

What is there to be thankful about?
It was February, 1985 when Enaje, while working on a three-story wall signage, accidentally fell off the building. "Diyos ko (My God)" was all that he managed to mutter in that split-second.

A few minutes later, Enaje, who could've sworn he had broken several bones, stood up from the ground unscathed, to his surprise. He went home a changed man, with a new calling. Not so much has changed 25 years since.

Meanwhile, Pampanga tourism officials said that at least 19 Filipinos are scheduled to undergo crucifixion in Cutud, as part of the annual bloody spectacle every Good Friday. The penitents believe that through their sacrifices their sins will be forgiven.

Nine men, including Enaje, are expected to be crucified under the scorching heat of the sun at the San Pedro Cutud , while 10 others will undergo the same ordeal in nearby Sta. Lucia.

The crucifixions in Cutud are expected to draw thousands of tourists, both local and foreign, who want to witness the re-enactment of Christ crucifixion.

However, the Roman Catholic Church opposes the annual spectacle, saying they will not endorse the activities.

In Paombong, Bulacan, three people, including a woman, will be crucified.

Alexie "Buboy" Dionisio, 32, a fishpond operator in Bulacan, said he started joining the crucifixion rites at age 16.

Senakulo in Barangka
In Mandaluyong City, what started out as an annual affair every Lenten season has become a tradition for a community-based theater organization, whose members portray Biblical characters and events from creation to the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

Now on its 45th year, the Samahang Kabataan Ng San Roque Senakulista ng Barangka has never failed to showcase the re-enactment of the senakulo. According to Nolan Reyes, project coordinator and cultural affairs officer of Mandaluyong City, the yearly "senakulo" (from the Spanish word cenaculo which also means the dining hall where the Lord celebrated The Last Supper with his disciples) has always been held at the plaza of Barangay Barangka Ibaba for free.

"Every talent performing in the senakulo has no proper training on theater and/or stage performance. It's their parent's talent, who used to perform before, which is handed down to them," he said

The whole production, which started on the night of Holy Monday (March 29) at 8 p.m., runs on a limited budget which is why most of the materials and resources are either sponsored by or solicited from the neighborhood itself. The stage still makes use of huge bamboo poles instead of modern trashes, backdrops are hand-painted in traditional coco cloth, and traditional hand microphones are hanged across the stage to amplify the voices of the actors.

Digital music is not even considered for the whole senakulo. Each night, the music is provided by a local band or "mosiko" which is hired for the whole duration of the production which will end on the night of Black Saturday (April 3).

Child performers whose ages range between 7 and 12 years would take part in a six-month preparation, all of them taking time out from their studies or daily chores and gather at the street or at the director's house. None of them were compensated whatsoever, but is only given a free meal after a job well done. (With a report from Carlo Suerte Felipe)