The City of San Fernando in Pampanga, a province in the Philippines an hour from the capital Manila, has a man crucified for the 27th time on a Good Friday. His name is signboard maker, Ruben Enaje, 52, who participates in a local play and takes the role of Jesus Christ. He has been nailed on the cross in the village of San Pedro Cutud for the 27th straight year, according to a report by Inquirer News.

Enaje has been asked to extend his religious vow “for as long as his body can endure” according to Cutud village captain, Remigio de la Cruz.

De La Cruz said one man has expressed interest to take Enaje’s place but the man “has habits that are not pleasing to God” he shares.

“The devout Catholics among our village mates are offended by this man,” De la Cruz said, he did not identify him or explained the undesirable habits to avoid any quarrel with the man or his family.

Aside from Enaje, four men perform real-life crucifixions in the city.

The rite in Cutud, started in 1961 and is carried out noon-time on Good Friday. They accept penitents from any religion, race, gender, education or social status, according to De la Cruz. However, the role of “Christ”, selected from the residents, should lead a good Christian life. He needs “to be a good example to the children and the youth,” said De la Cruz.

Enaje does not gamble, use illegal drugs or have any extramarital affairs, according to Del la Cruz. The “Christ” of Cutud is “a family man. He takes care of his family well. He helps his neighbors, too” he added.

Enaje said that he agreed to take the role for one more year, hoping this would be his last crucifixion. He begun the vow in 1986 as an act of gratitude after he fell from a three-story building he was painting in a nearby city and came through without any wounds, fracture or internal bleeding.

He extended the devotion for another nine years to seek good health for his eldest daughter. The other nine he committed for his wife’s healing.

According to Enaje’s wife, Juanita, “Every time he plans to end his vow he gets sick.”

De la Cruz said that about 15 men are expected to be nailed on three wooden crosses in the village’s Purok Cuatro. The crosses have been mounted on a hill made from volcanic sediments that came from Mt. Pinatubo.

Crowds watching the rituals can swell up to 50,000 or more – a security nightmare for the limited police and village guards in the area.