Meet 65-year-old Ruben Enaje, a devoted Filipino carpenter who's spent the last 37 years reenacting Jesus Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday. This year, however, marked a milestone moment for Ruben – it was his final time being nailed to the cross. After enduring the grueling ritual for over three decades, Ruben decided it was time to hang up his "sacrifice," but not before making a special request: he wanted to skip the traditional whipping, kicking, and slapping by village actors playing Roman soldiers.
For this year's Passion of Christ drama, Ruben was joined by two other devotees who carried their crosses on their backs for half a mile through the scorching heat. Ruben's cross weighed a slightly lighter 20kg, but it still required him to be nailed to it – albeit only on the palms, sparing his weakened feet from the pain. This decision was made at the behest of his wife, who begged him to stop the annual spectacle due to his health concerns.
Ruben's annual event has made him a local celebrity in the three rural communities of Pampanga province, north of Manila. Devotees flock to witness the grim ceremony, and Ruben has used his platform to raise awareness about pressing global issues. This year, he expressed his hopes for world peace, noting that despite only three countries being in conflict, the impact is felt worldwide. He's previously spoken out about the war in
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