SOME 800 to 1,000 penitents self-flagellate flock in front of San Jose Chapel in Barangay Dampol 2nd-A in Pulilan, Bulacan on Good Friday as part of their Holy Week ritual of repentance this year.
According to Tanod Chief Angelo Quizon, these penitents came from nearby villages of Tibag, Dampol 2nd-B in Pulilan, towns of Paombong, Calumpit, Bulakan and some are from Pampanga province.
Penitents chose to do their “Gusar” (ritual repentance) in this place as San Jose Chapel was the first ever chapel built in Pulilan town.
Their bodies undergo the “pagtatabad” means wounding or will be cut using a stick with small pieces of broken crystal attached, then they will start the self-flagellate by the use of “bulyos” (a bamboo-made 5-inch stick) tied to a rope while heading to the chapel.
