Quick Facts
Biography
Ruben Enaje is a Filipino carpenter, sign painter, and former construction worker. He is noted for being crucified 30 times.
He has been crucified every year since 1985 on Good Friday.
Background
Enaje, who was once a construction worker in the Philippines, fell down from an unfinished building, and unexpectedly survived. After the incident, saying that it was to thank the Lord for saving him, Ruben started participating in crucifixions, of his own free will, in a ritual done on Good Friday every year. His crucifixions have led to media coverage.
Timeline
1985
Enaje was crucified for his first time in 1985, during a reenactment of Jesus Christ of Nazareth's suffering.
2008
On March 21, 2008, Enaje, was nailed to a wooden cross on Good Friday for the 22nd time, in Pampanga, Philippines. 25 other penitents, including two women, were nailed on wooden crosses on Good Friday in San Pedro Cutud.
2010
Enaje was crucified again in his hometown, Pampanga, Philippines, this time for the 24th time, breaking his own record.
2011
Like the years before, Enaje had four-inch nails hammered into his palms and was hung on a cross for several minutes by local villagers dressed as Roman centurions.
2012
2012's crucifixion was the 26th one for Enaje.
2013
2013 was his possible final year in which he plans to be crucified, since he promised God that he would be crucified 27 times as a form of gratitude.
2016
Still without any permanent replacement, Enaje once again crucified, along with 14 others in different places in Pampanga. He spent 11 minutes in the cross. Enaje offered his 30th straight crucification to the people of Belgium, who had recently suffered from a terrorist attack, and praying for a more peaceful outcome of the Philippine general election, 2016.