A San Fernando, nella provincia di Pampanga

A group of hooded flagellants kneel in front of a church praying as part of the observance of the Lenten season on Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2010 in San Fernando City, north of Manila, Philippines. Despite the Catholic church’s non-encouragement of the practice of imitating the sufferings of Jesus Christ, believers continue to inflict self-injury in the belief that it will atone them for their sins and even seek define intervention for all kinds of problems such as illnesses and even financial difficulties. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)