Catholic penitents, wearing masks and bearing the signs of sacrifice, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan town in Laguna province on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, as part of a traditional Holy Week practice known as penitensya (penance).
In a public act of repentance and devotion, they beat their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, emulating the suffering of Christ.
The ritual, though painful, is seen by participants as a profound spiritual offering—an expression of faith, a plea for forgiveness, or a form of gratitude for blessings received.
After the procession, the penitents head to a nearby waterfall to cleanse their wounds in natural spring water—believed by many locals to possess healing properties.
This ritual washing not only aids in physical recovery but also symbolizes spiritual renewal during the solemn days leading to Easter.
Similar penitential practices are observed in various parts of the Philippines, especially in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, despite repeated calls by Church leaders discouraging self-harm.
All photos by Jire Carreon
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
Catholic penitents, wearing masks, walk barefoot through the streets of Kalayaan in Laguna province to express their faith and seek forgiveness through self-flagellation on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. By beating their backs with wooden whips or bamboo flails, the penitents reenact Christ’s suffering as a form of sacrifice and repentance. Despite the physical pain, many view this ritual as a deeply personal act of devotion and a means of seeking healing and spiritual renewal during the solemn observance of Holy Week. After the procession, the penitents wash their wounds from self-flagellation, known as “penitensya,” at Twin Falls. This cleansing ritual in the natural spring waters is believed to aid in healing their wounds and symbolizes spiritual renewal.
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