Groups of penitents caught on camera arguing
Tensions arose between several groups of penitents in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on Good Friday, April 3, 2026.
Penance or penitensya is just one of the most common activities that many Filipinos do during Holy Week. There is also Pabasa ng Pasyon, which is the chanting of Christ’s life, passion, death.
Senakulo, which is the reenactment of the passion of Christ, is also being done in different parts of the country. One common scenario on the streets are people doing the “penitensya” during Good Friday.
It is the act of self-flagellation using bamboo whips while walking barefoot under the heat of the sun; or carrying a cross and being crucified afterwards, based on the article from Manila Bulletin, which was published back in 2024.
For many Filipinos, this was a way of showing repentance, with the hope of redemption from their sins, and it has become a vow or panata for them. However, groups of penitents appeared to have sinned again because of the conflict between them while they were doing their penance.
Abante News shared a video showing that different groups were arguing over who would act as the executioner during their penance. Apparently, they were not able to settle this, and this led to “rambulan.”
It can be seen in the video that while some men were fighting, a man was already down on the ground at the side. The news outlet shared the video on Reddit.
In the comment section of the post, netizens could not help but express negative and sarcastic comments, criticizing the men involved in this incident. “Patay naman daw ang Diyos, so hindi daw niya makikita yung mga kagaguhan nila,” a netizen commented, while the other one said, “-100 ligtas points yan.”