Answer:
Pain comes afterwards. The faithful lie down on the road. Some pass out due to exhaustion. But they continue to join the procession that usually lasts 20 hours.
The bruises and danger and the loudness and madness have become part of an extravagant display of piety for many Filipino Catholics.
Holy Week observance in the Philippines is another display of popular religiosity. Filipino Catholics even flagellate themselves. In my hometown, the streets are usually filled with flagellants as early as 3 a.m. People cover themselves with rags to hide their identities.
In other places, people even have themselves crucified. The penitents claim that by doing so they glorify the Lord. They hate sorrow and misery because they are used to it. Every day, Filipinos are beaten with whips of poverty and destitution.
