Joni Ang

Every year, the Kapampangans in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga are celebrating Easter Sunday the best way they know how. Not with cute bunnies and colorful eggs, but by humiliating Judas and blowing him up in front of everybody.

Yep, that’s how much they hate Judas. We’re talking about Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples who sold out for the Silver and betrayed Jesus a long time ago (Luke 22). Aside from being known as one of the controversial traitors in the Bible, in our country, we also hear Judas’ name being mentioned often in hot arguments between two people: “Hudas ka!!”

For the people in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, it’s a must every Holy Week to create a life-size dummy representing Judas the traitor and stuff its body with firecrackers. The dummy’s head is movable from side to side and its tongue is sticking in and out of its mouth as if to provoke the angry mob even more. It’s funny and a bit creepy. Hehe.

Then on Easter Sunday, they make it explode right after the mass at exactly 12 o’clock noon. When they ignite the thing, it will first spin around in all directions and then one by one its body limbs will blow: feet, legs, torso, and finally the loudest explosion of all, its head! When I was younger I could never watch the whole thing without covering my ears and shutting my eyes. Since I haven’t spent Holy Week in my mom’s hometown for more than 10 years, this year I made sure I would be brave enough to stand right there in the plaza to witness the “show”. I used to just watch from my grandmother’s terrace, which is only a few meters away from the plaza, while my older brothers and cousins stood right there in the crowd.

I actually don’t see the point why they have to do this every year. Judas’ betrayal had to happen for the prophecy to be fulfilled, it was part of the suffering Jesus had to endure on our behalf. But I guess this is just one of those things that define the Kapampangans‘ unique culture. Plus, the people there consider it as entertainment! It isn’t Holy Week without Hudas triggering everyone’s excitement.

I was with my friend Anna Grace, my mom, and my two cousins when I watched Judas blow up last Sunday. It was very hot outside but the nobody seemed to mind.

Look at him all smug, feeling no remorse whatsoever…

KA-BOOM!

RIP, Judas. See you next year!