2 weeks Ago
The Department of Health (DOH) has once again advised devotees this Holy Week not to physically hurt themselves through self-flagellation or crucifixion as it may put their health at risk. “Alinsunod na rin sa mga kaparian, hindi naman kinakailangan na sugatan o saktan ang ating katawan,” DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in an Unang Balita interview Wednesday. (It’s not necessary to injure or harm our bodies, as also advised by priests.
) However, if it can’t be avoided, the Health official reminded devotees to only use sanitized items to avoid infection, and to thoroughly wash their wounds with soap and water. “Tandaan po natin na ang mga sugat sa katawan ng penitensya ay mga tinatawag na ‘dirty wound.’ ‘Yung alikabok ng lupa, do’n sa mga lumilipad na alikabok sa paligid, saka ‘yung mga ginagamit nating instrumento, pwedeng panggalingan ng mikrobyo,” Domingo said.
(The wounds on the body due to penance are called ‘dirty wounds.’ The dust on the ground and in the air, as well as those on the instruments itself, can be sources of germs.) “Ang tanging lunas po niyan is maghugas ng malinis na tubig at sabon, at paggamit ng mga antiseptic tulad ng iodine na tinatawag natin.
‘Wag na hong tumalon sa ilog, sa dagat, ‘yung paniniwalang gano’n. Linisin na lang natin sa tamang paraan,” he added. (The only cure for that is to wash the wound with clean water and soap, and use antiseptics like iodine.
Don't jump into the river or the sea. Just clean the wounds the right way.) Many Filipino Catholics usually go through religious penance during Holy Week as a form of worship and prayer believed to grant their wishes, cleanse their sins, and cure illnesses.
— Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News.
