A tourist asked to be whipped by a local wearing a Roman soldier costume as part of an Easter tradition in the Philippines.

The holidaymaker visited Marinduque province to witness the annual Holy Week parade, which reenacts the crucifixion of Jesus on April 18.

Footage shows the curious foreigner turning his back on the soldier who slapped him with a rope made of bundled leather strips.

He was holding his camera while onlookers screamed as he winced from the force of each hit that landed on the back of his head.

Resident Neil Isaiah Pinar said: 'He volunteered to be whipped. The Roman soldier was gentle. Locals would have it five times stronger.'

The parade was part of the Moriones Festival, a religious and cultural tradition held during Holy Week in Marinduque province.

Locals dress up as Roman soldiers, called 'morion', wearing colourful costumes and hand-painted masks with plumed helmets.

The festival is inspired by the story of Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye and was healed after piercing Jesus' side during the crucifixion. He converted to Christianity and was later martyred.