It's been almost a week since it happened, but there still isn't much in the blogosphere regarding the brilliance of Dominik Diamond, the fellow above on the right with the drill. That being the case, I will naturally be more than happy to make a post about this pseudo martyr. Apparently, this British gameshow host (pictured with his wife, Phoebe) planned to film a documentary about himself joining the many other Filipino penitents who literally crucify themselves as part of a yearly Filipino Lenten tradition called "Kalbaryo". Unfortunately, much to the chagrin - but not the surprise - of many bystanders, he bailed out at the last minute.According to the Sunday Times:
'God made me cancel my own crucifixion'
By Nico Hines
BRITISH broadcaster who travelled to the Philippines to be crucified on Good Friday for a television programme pulled out of the stunt in tears yesterday — and blamed God for his decision.
Dominik Diamond broke down and wept after watching nine Filipinos take their turn to be whipped and nailed on crosses and realising that his turn was next. “God wanted me only to pray at the foot of my cross,” he sobbed, sinking to his knees and praying as local people and tourists started to boo.
Read more here.
Now I still haven't made up my mind about this guy. Was he really a serious devotee who truly feels bad about losing his nerve at the last minute? or was this just an aborted attempt by a western journalist to portray our culture as bizaare and grotesque for the sake of selling a story?
Whatever the case may be, I can't help but say: "Dude. What the hell were you thinking?"
The blog, "Only in the Philippines" has a cartoon about it here.
