A young boy was caught on video for Rappler mimicking the Catholic Holy Week tradition of flagellating on March 28, 2024, Maundy Thursday. The video was taken in Barangay Lourdes, Angeles City, Pampanga.
The video shows a young child using a small souvenir bamboo whip to flagellate himself, just like the mandarame (flagellants) around him who were practicing the same tradition during Holy Week. Towards the end of the video, the boy can be seen chasing his father who was walking ahead of him. The child’s back is covered in what appears to be fake blood smeared on his back.
The boy’s father is interviewed in the video and he said his child is two years old and he is also a mandarame. He is scheduled to partake in the tradition the next day on Good Friday. The father says he has been practicing this tradition for nine years and does it for his family. “Para sa pamilya ko, para sa mga mahal ko sa buhay,” he answers the interviewer when asked who he does the tradition for.
Mandarame is a tradition in Pampanga that mimics Christ’s suffering to atone for one’s sins, show gratitude, or to request for one’s prayers to be answered. It is done during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and is often practiced in three cities in Pampanga, Mabalacat, Angeles, and San Fernando, according to this 2016 report from Rappler.
Comments on young child flagellating on video
Netizens left comments on the video, most of which were negative, saying a child should not be included in such traditions.
One comment reads, “The Church should correct this one and must be responsible about it.”
Another reads, “Pati bata sinasali nyo sa ganyan. Pwede naman pwede naman po mag dasal ng taimtim at hindi kailangan saktan pa ang sarili.”
“Respeto sa Catholic Church pero sana maitama ang mailing paniniwala,” reads another.
Looking for ways to commemorate Holy Week with your child? Read this article.
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