
Some clutched their mother's hand, while others shielded their eyes with their arm or a piece of cloth. For these boys, the traditional journey to manhood was about to begin.

The Filipino youngsters had been signed up for a free mass circumcision arranged by the Philippine Navy as part of its 119th pre-anniversary activities, and today was their big moment.

More than 100 pre-teens were accompanied by their parents for the operations in Taguig, south of Manila.

More than 100 Filipino boys had been signed up for a free mass circumcision held by the Philippine Navy as part of its 119th pre-anniversary activities

The youngsters were accompanied by their parents for the surgery today in Taguig, south of Manila

Mass circumcisions are usually held during the summer when schools are on holidays.

In the Philippines, it is a tradition for boys who are just about to enter their teenage years.

Uncircumcised boys often end up being teased by their peers but as these images show, the price of social acceptance is a painful one.

Circumcision is traditionally associated with Muslim and Jewish culture but the ritual of 'tuli' is common in the Philippines, where the majority of people are Roman Catholic.

Afterwards the boys are encouraged to wear loose skirt-like clothing and in the local Tagalog language the swelling which follows the operation is known as pangangamatis, which translates as 'becoming like a tomato'.

Mass circumcisions are usually held during the summer when schools are on holidays. In the Philippines, it is a tradition for boys (above, waiting for the operation) who are just about to enter their teenage years

The World Health Organization estimates 30 to 33 per cent of males aged 15 or over are circumcised but in the Philippines the figure is 93 per cent.

In a private hospital, the surgery would cost at least $40 (£30); in rural areas, it is sometimes performed by non-doctors using crude methods.

Six years ago, 1,500 boys were circumcised on the same day in Marikina City but the Guinness Book of Records rejected an application 'due to hygiene considerations and risks'.