It has been a decades-old tradition in the Philippines that some men (and women) crucify themselves at 3pm on Good Friday, the exact time Jesus Christ is believed to have died on the cross.

While the Roman Catholic Church has shunned the practice of crucifixion and self-flagellation, still hundreds of Filipinos continue the practice throughout the country.

But in San Fernando, Pampanga in central Luzon, the Philippines' main island, the sight of men and some women whipping their backs until they are bloody and crucify themselves have been an annual tradition. In fact, the spectacle has become a tourist attraction.

The people who practice crucifixion and self-flagellation believe that by doing so, they not only give penance or give thanks to God, but also share the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

One of the regular devout Catholic who allows himself to be crucified every Good Friday is 56-year-old Rolando Ocampo. He said he started the practice in 1990 after his wife survived a difficult child birth in that year. Believing that a miracle saved his wife's life, Ocampo began his annual tradition.

Before every crucifixion, Ocampo allows himself a day of deep meditation before the event.

For Ruben Enage who has been crucified 24 times, the act of crucifixion was his way of thanking God for saving him from a near-fatal fall while working atop a three-story advertising billboard in 1986.

This year, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued its warning against self-flagellation because of its health hazards, including possible infection, heat stroke, etc.

But this has not stopped the devout Catholics from the practice as hundreds of them are expected to participate in the annual event across the country.

People who allow themselves to be crucified pray the entire time during the ordeal, claiming prayers relieve them of some of the pain. Also, the nails used in the crucifixion are sanitized to prevent any infection and medical personnel are on hand to tend to the participants after their ordeal.

It takes an estimated two weeks for the wound to heal, but for the devout penitents, that is a small price to pay to praise God and proclaim their personal connection to their Savior.