CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Hundreds of devotees trooped to this city to witness Maleldo or the reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday.

Ruben Enaje, 65, was nailed to the cross on his 37th year portraying Christ in Barangay San Pedro Cutud. Two other penitents were also nailed to the cross alongside Enaje.

The weather was clear and humid, a video posted on the City of San Fernando, Pampanga City Information Office Facebook page showed.

Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag witnessed the reenactment in Barangay San Pedro Cutud and greeted response teams, spectators, and foreign visitors.

Maleldo started in Barangay San Juan where the first penitent –Wilfredo Salvador, 69 – was nailed. Also nailed was Fernando Mamangun in in Barangay Santa Lucia.

The other reenactment was held in Barangay Del Pilar.

Enaje, Salvador, and Mamangun, revealed the spiritual journeys that led them to take part in one of the country’s most well-known Holy Week traditions.

Mamangun, who portrays Jesus in Barangay Santa Lucia, shared that his devotion began as a continuation of his father’s panata or vow.

Salvador of Barangay San Juan, now in his 18th year of participation, his panata was born out of illness.

Enaje, the most recognized among the icons from Barangay San Pedro Cutud, has devoted nearly four decades to the ritual. He said his panata has evolved and won’t ask anything more from God and will just pray.

Hundreds of people witnessed the intense “Tira Bakal” simultaneous with the crucifixion here.

According to the City Information Office, this "Senakulo" on the streets replicates the grueling physical suffering of Christ.

“To ensure the devotee portraying Jesus truly feels the weight of the Passion, Roman soldiers use rubber whips and wooden blocks, pushing the participant to the limit of their penance,” the CIO said in a Facebook post.

Authorities earlier inspected key areas for this year’s Maleldo.

Inspected were major crucifixion sites in Barangays San Juan, Santa Lucia, and San Pedro Cutud, along with assistance hubs, tourist desks, staging areas, and Oplan Ligtas Sumvac zones to ensure smooth flow, crowd control, and rapid emergency response.

City Administrator and acting City Legal Officer Kristannico Abad led the inspection on behalf of Caluag, together with the Maleldo Incident Management Team overseeing disaster response, security, health, and public safety.

The Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) intensified security in the province as part of their commitment to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of Holy Week.

Personnel led by provincial director Police Col. Eugene M. Marcelo were deployed in churches, transportation terminals, major roads, tourist spots, and other public convergence zones to provide immediate assistance, maintain order, and prevent any untoward incidents during one of the most significant religious observances in the country.

Marcelo urged the public to stay alert and cooperate with authorities as the Holy Week ends.

The public was urged to promptly report any suspicious activities to the police.

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna – The provincial government headed by Gov. Sol Aragones distributed free food and water for people visiting churches in this province on Good Friday.

Aragones said the initiative began on Holy Wednesday and is part of the province’s pilgrimage tourism program.

It also highlights the province’s historic churches and strong faith traditions while encouraging meaningful faith-based travel during Holy Week.

This was carried out with personnel from the Governor’s Office to ensure that devotees and tourists are accommodated during their spiritual journey.

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – A driver and a teenage boy drowned in Ilocos Norte on Maundy Thursday, police said.

The 34-year-old driver, Lucas, drowned while swimming on a river in Barangay Hilario, Banna. The victim, a resident of Barangay Otan, Allacapan, Cagayan, was reportedly drunk during a picnic with relatives prior to the incident.

The 13-year-old boy drowned in the Bongo River in Barangay Medina, Dingras. The victim was swimming with friends when he moved into a deeper portion of the river and failed to resurface. He was retrieved and taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.

Meanwhile, police and the Philippine Coast Guard rescued three minors who were swept away by strong waves at the shoreline in Aparri, Cagayan on Holy Wednesday.

Police Regional Office-2 chief Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr. commended police and Coast Guard personnel for the rescue.

He reiterated his call for the public to exercise caution when visiting beaches and rivers, follow safety advisories, and immediately coordinate with authorities in case of emergencies.

Police revived an eight-year-old child who drowned at Tawang Falls in Barangay Pangol, Tanudan, Kalinga on Maundy Thursday.

Police Staff Sgt. Denver C. Dumagdag of the Tanudan police station administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victim who was taken to a hospital for treatment. (With a report from PIA)