Philippines - Talk about getting nailed: The City of San Fernando’s annual Good Friday re-enactment of
Christ’s Passion is set to include not one, not three, but 23 real live
crucifixions, as eager penitents seek to emulate Jesus by being nailed
to crosses. (Other slightly less committed penitents will restrict
themselves to a thorough scourging.)

Church and civil authorities actually frown on the practice, but the
citizens can’t seem to get enough. So, the local government has decided
to go with the flow, and restrict itself to ensuring the nails are
sterilized and that all the crucifixees have a tetanus shot.

Seeing an opportunity to plug their products, Filipino phone outfit Smart Telecommunications and Coca Cola will be
soaking up the goodwill as key sponsors of the mass crucifixion. Smart Telecom and Coca Cola have apparently struck some kind of
sponsorship deal with the government of San Fernando. Presumably this
will help bankroll the preparations the city has to make to deal with
the hordes of tourists and international media who will be descending
on the city.

Reported in The Register: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/21/good_friday/

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