When expressions of faith in the Philippines becomes a potential COVID-19 ‘superspreader’

Abstract

The Filipino people are known for their strong religious faith. Even in the midst of the most trying moments of their collective history their faith remains steadfast. The isolation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the Filipino Catholic faithful from expressing their faith but made it stronger. Allowed by the government to attend Church celebrations, the Filipino Catholic devotee flocked in the Quiapo Church just to attend the feast of the Black Nazarene and had a chance to hold its image with a firm conviction that the grace of God could protect them from the pandemic. However, the local medical experts called their devotion, in this time of crisis, as a ‘superspreader’, a sign not of hope but of despair.