Good Friday crucifixions a big money spinner

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The men being nailed to crosses in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in this town were seeking salvation, but for corporate sponsors and small-time vendors the Good Friday event was all about quick riches.

Posters advertising the country's biggest telecommunication companies, fast food chain McDonald's, energy drinks and a local motel chain hung across the sun-baked fields where the crucifixion reenactments took place.

Rosemarie Musngi, 44, said she went to church first before setting up shop selling fried fish, snacks and souvenir shirts beneath a branded tent she had rented from a major telco.

"We prayed to God to let us earn a little money... we prayed for people to buy all of our merchandise," she told AFP.

Cultural events of a religious bent are no barriers to making a buck in Asia's Catholic heartland, home to some of the world's most colorful displays of worship and also a feverish brand of capitalism.

San Fernando is 90 minutes' drive from Manila, is one of at least three that hold day-long passion plays every Good Friday depicting the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

The events are capped by men being nailed to crosses, and also feature bare-chested men whipping their backs bloody.

The devotees typically say they endure the suffering to be closer to God, for his favour, and for bad deeds to be forgiven.

Among the Good Friday events' key sponsors are two of the country's largest mobile phone outfits.