Yep, they really nail them to crosses on Good Friday in San Fernando Pampagna just north of Manila. All volunteers too. THey must really have some serious sins to atone for to warrant this kind of punishment.

There is also a parade of men doing some self flagellation till they bleed (self whipping).

Some devotees stop at various locations where volunteers (from moms to kids) will take a try at swatting them, whipping them, paddling them or – as one man offered – brushing their back with a broken glass housed in a special brush (see photos below!)

Thousands of spectators watch, eat ice cream, and buy souvenir Spongebob Square-Pants balloons at this event.

I got to chat with the infamous Reuben who has done this 28 times. He is in the Guinness book of world records (and proudly wears the shirt touting the same record). His hands were bandaged but it would have been interesting to see the stigmata marks.

Every word of this is true.