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Dakip, a Bulacan town's extreme show of faith

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By Alec Corpuz and Maria Tan, photos by Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-1.jpg"/><figcaption>Rizo, escorted by padakip actors, begins the padakip procession along the streets of Bulakan, Bulacan on Good Friday. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Along the streets of Brgy. Tibig in Bulakan, Bulacan, 43-year old Noli Rizo was hit and battered by several men, but no one moved to offer a hand. Bloodied and beaten, Rizo soldiered on, paying no attention to those around him.</p><p>This was no crime scene, just an extreme showing of faith and penance. Rizo, like many others in his town, participated in the traditional Dakip. Translated literally, &quot;Dakip&quot; means to be taken and is a play that reenacts how Jesus was taken and crucified.</p><div><strong>Reason for joining</strong></div><p>The penitents have their own reasons for joining the bloody tradition, one of the acts of penance the Catholic church frowns upon.</p><p>For Rizo, it started out as a religious vow and sacrifice for his father’s killer to be brought to justice. Two years after his father was killed during an argument over the tricycle queue in 2003, Rizo began joining the graphic practice. Some 12 years later, the perpetrator was caught.</p><p>For RIzo, this only cemented his belief. “Naniniwala ako na dahil sa pagganap ko nabigyan ko ng hustisya ang tatay ko after 14 years,” he says.</p><div><strong>Dakip tradition</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230404-dakip-holy-week-mt-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Rizo, a Catholic devotee, prepares his thorn crown, whip, and clothing at his house in Purok 4, Barangay Tigib on Bulakan, Bulacan ahead of the Dakip on Good Friday. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The tradition of Dakip is unique to the barangay. Residents joining the practice walk some 15 kilometers bearing a cross, all the while being beaten by other characters of the play. The play takes between 4 to 5 hours, something that Rizo is intimately familiar with as he has been doing this for 18 years.</p><p>Rizo has endured several hits and injuries yet he keeps coming back. He said, “Kahit minsan nabagok ang ulo ko patuloy ko itong ginagawa para matapos ang panata ko at pakiramdam ko napapalapit ako sa Diyos pag natapos ko.”</p><p>As part of his preparation, he goes on a fast starting Holy Monday. According to him, this does not affect his work as a driver and someone who dries palay out in the fields.</p><div><strong>Dakip begins</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-3.jpg"/><figcaption>Rizo and his neighbors load the cross that he will carry for the Dakip. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>On the day of the Dakip, Rizo prepares his costume which includes a black piece of cloth that covers his face. “May takip ang mukha ko kasi hindi ako worthy, si Jesus lang puwedeng magpakita ng mukha,” he explained.</p><p>Rizo’s faith runs so deep that he does not see the need to seek medical attention after, saying, “Hindi kailangan gamutin ang sugat ko after Pagdakip kasi may pananampalataya ako na kusa itong gagaling.”</p><div><strong>Changes in the ritual</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-4.jpg"/><figcaption>Rizo and other participants dress up for the play. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>In all the years that RIzo has participated in Dakip, he has seen changes. He feels that some participants do not take it seriously anymore and they do it purely for entertainment.</p><p>Mas maganda noong araw kasi noon may costumes , pero ngayon parang nilalaro na lang ng ibang gumganap, lalo na ng mga bata,” he said.</p><p>“Sana may gaganap pa rin para magpatuloy and tradisyon at naniniwala ako na napapabuti ang pag ganap sa gumaganap.”</p><p>As for when his vow will end, Rizo said he does not see himself stopping anytime soon, or even at all. This, despite his family’s misgivings.</p><p>“Masaya ako si ginagawa ko para magpatuloy at nakikita nilang paghihirap ni Kristo,” he said.</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-5.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-6.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-7.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-8.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-9.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-10.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-11.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-12.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-13.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-14.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-15.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-16.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-17.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-18.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/04/08/20230406-dakip-holy-week-mt-19.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo and another participant named Borong wearing costumes, get ready. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo and Borong, both long-time Dakip devotees, pray before the altar at St. Joseph&#x27;s Parish in Balagtas, Bulacan. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo begins the procession. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo falls down with the cross. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Reenacting the arrest of Jesus Christ, Rizo falls down while carrying the cross, and is kicked and whipped. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Reenacting the arrest of Jesus Christ, Rizo falls down while carrying the cross, and is kicked and whipped. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo is kicked and whipped throughout the procession. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo is kicked and whipped throughout the procession. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo is kicked and whipped throughout the procession. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The procession takes hours to complete and reaches nightfall. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo is kicked and whipped throughout the procession. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo enters the Our Lady of Holy Rosary Chapel in Barangay Tibig in Bulakan, Bulakan, as he completes and ends his annual Holy Week devotion and vows. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo finishes the Dakip. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo enters the Our Lady of Holy Rosary Chapel in Barangay Tibig in Bulakan, Bulakan, as he completes and ends his annual Holy Week devotion and vows. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Rizo is greeted by his son at the end of the Dakip. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div></div></div>

Along the streets of Brgy. Tibig in Bulakan, Bulacan 43-year old Noli Rizo is hit and battered by several men, but no one moves to offer a hand. 

Dakip, a Bulacan town's extreme show of faith

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Dakip, a Bulacan town's extreme show of faith

By Alec Corpuz and Maria Tan,

photos by Maria Tan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 08, 2023 12:49 AM PHT

|

Updated Apr 08, 2023 08:30 PM PHT

Read More:

Dakip

Holy Week

Padakip

Bulakan

Semana Santa

Lent

Good Friday

penance

vow

flagellation

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