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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Thursday, April 13, 2017
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MANILA – Ruben Enaje is set to be nailed to a wooden cross for the 31st time during the traditional “Maleldo 2017: Way of the Cross” on Good Friday in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga.
But the 56-year-old Philippine “crucifixion star” considers retiring from the yearly tradition.
“Sa totoo lang, sa edad kong ito, parang hindi ko na kaya iyong sakit ng pagpapapako sa krus,” Enaje said. “Matagal ko nang gustong magretiro kaso wala pang nahahanap na papalit sa akin.”
“Katunayan itong sa kamay ko patid na ang ugat,” he added. “Kapag malamig ang panahon, nararamdaman ko na rin na parang nakukuryete iyong kamay ko. Iyong balikat ko naman, parang nagkarayuma na sa pagbubuhat ng krus.”
Enaje will devote his 31st crucifixion to Jesus Christ for granting his wishes and keeping him and his family safe since he started it in 1985.
“Bale itong ngayong taon ay parang pagsasalamat ko na lang dahil lahat naman ng kahilingan ko ay naibigay na niya,” said Enaje. “Naniniwala ako na may gumagabay sa akin tuwing ginagawa ko ito kaya hirap rin akong talikuran.”
Enaje originally pledged to do the ritual for nine years starting 1985 as a thanksgiving after surviving a fall from the third floor of a building in Tarlac City where he was painting a billboard.
He extended the tradition for nine more years in 1993 for the cure of his daughter, Ejay, who then suffering from asthma. The third nine-year vow was for the healing of his wife, Juanita, who grew a lump in her jaw.
The reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion, which started in 1955, is now on its 60th year and has been traditionally held in Angeles City and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga, and in Bulacan. Aside from San Pedro Cutud, it is also being held in San Lucia and San Juan.
Aside from being nailed to a cross, other penitents carry the wooden cross or whip themselves using bamboo sticks tied to a rope./PN
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