A show of devotion: Feast of the Black Nazarene
The Philippines has the biggest Catholic population in Asia. In the year 2000, there has been an estimated 45,000 religious sects that are registered church congregations in the country. The number is comprised of mainly Catholic devotees and a large number also comes from the Christian community.
Faith has always played a major role in the Filipino's daily life. It's traced back to the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1500's where they used the religion to communicate with the locals. And centuries later, the modern day Filipino has used their faith to oust a dictator by rallying in the streets with rosaries in hand and whispering paryers.
Today, Filipinos still lift everything on the 'divine'. May it be a result of an examination, daily grace, to resuscitation of life , it is all prayed upon.
This story reflects how devote Filipinos can to their religion. At least half a million people flock the streets of downtown Manila to be able to fulfill a yearly show of faith to the 400-year old relic of the Black Nazarene.
A chance to pull the rope, rubbing the piece of cloth to the statue, and almost stomping on another person to be relieved on of an illness of the body and most specially the soul. It has been labeled as fanaticism because of the uncontrollable circumstances in the mob.