Today is Ruben Enaje's 35th time to be crucified on Good Friday. 

The 63-year-old sign painter, carpenter and a father of four children from San Fernando, Pampanga, started his ritual Holy Week crucifixion in 1986 after he survived an accident at work.

Ruben Enaje before his crucifixion on Good Friday. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News 

"Bago ako namanata, naaksidente ako sa trabaho ko noong 1985. Nalaglag ako sa building at himala naman na hindi ako napilayan o nagalusan. Noong mahimasmasan ako nagpasalamat talaga ako sa Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng pagpapako sa Krus. Tapos non nagsimula na ako magpapako noong 1986. Natigil lang noong nagkaroon ng COVID pandemic," said Enaje.

(Before I started this vow, I had an accident in 1985. I fell off a building and miraculously didn’t suffer any injuries. When I came around I thanked the Lord by letting myself get crucified. I started in 1986. I paused it only during the COVID pandemic)

NO MORE PERSONAL WISHES AND PRAYERS

Enaje shows the nails that will be used for the reenactment of Jesus Christ’s reenactment. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Enaje's yearly crucifixion during Holy Week has become a tradition for him, his family and his community. He doesn't even pray for anything more from God for going through the ritual.

"Sa ngayon wala na akong personal prayers dahil lahat naman ng hiningi ko sa Panginoon, naibigay naman Niya na magkaroon ako ng maraming trabaho para sa aking pamilya."

(Now I don’t have any personal prayer because the Lord has given me everything I've asked for, plenty of jobs for my family.)

When he started this tradition, he prayed for enough work so that he could buy land. Enaje said he has been blessed with both.

Enaje shows the cross that will be used. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

But Enaje clarified that he is not encouraging others to do what he is doing.

"Hindi ako nanghihikayat na magpapako. Nasa sa kanila na lang yang panata."

(I don’t encourage people to be crucified. It’s up to them.)

He said he only learned after his 20th crucifixion that what he was doing was not allowed. But since it was already a vow, he just continued it. 

"Kung gusto nilang magpapako, nasa sa kanila yon. Hindi basta basta nagpapako, hindi pwedeng ipagmayabang."

(If they want to be nailed to a cross, it’s up to them. Not just for the sake of it or to brag about it.) 

LAST CRUCIFIXION?

Ruben Enaje walks to the street to Calvary Hill in Cutud, Pampanga before being crucified for the 35th time. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Enaje says each year that it will be his last procession and crucifixion. But he just can't seem to fulfill this.

"Lagi't lagi sinasabi ko na eto na ang huli ko. Kapag ganon wala pang isang buwan nagkakasakit ako, nararamdaman ko yung sakit. Kapag sinasabi ko na magreretiro ako lagi akong nagkakasakit. Basta ngayon, hangga't makakaya ko pa."

(I always say this is my last time. But every time I say it, in less than a month I would get sick. When I say I’ll retire I always get sick. So for now, I’ll do it while I still can.)

Enaje carries the heavy cross under the hot sun on Good Friday. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

And he has a message to the public especially to those he considers "bashers" online:

"Nirerespeto pa din namin sila kasi kahit hindi nila alam ang nasa kalooban namin. Sobrang sakit naman nilang magsalita kasi sinasabi nila pinagkakitaan e hindi nga ako nagpapabayad sa mga pumupunta dito," Enaje ended.

(We still respect them because they don’t know how we feel. It’s very hurtful when they say I do it for the money but I don’t charge people who come to see me.)