What do you believe in?

My housemate Kuya Reggie is a devotee to the Black Nazarene at Quiapo Church. It's an annual event at the house where his wife Ate Cecille would dress him up (down rather) for the feast. He'd walk from our place here in Quezon City to Quiapo barefoot. This year marked his 5th visit and first time in five years to be able to touch the Nazarene's rope.

Over breakfast, we were able to talk about his experience during the feast.

(In Tagalog)

ME: "You get to make one wish every time you visit?"

REGGIE: "Yes."

CECILLE: "He left the house in a white shirt and went home with one of those Nazarene uniforms!"

ME: "Did you get what you wished for last year?"

CECILLE: "What was your wish?"

REGGIE: "That you get your health back. (To me) She's always been thin. And look at her now, a lot has improved!"

ME: "That's true."

CECILLE: "Why didn't you ask for us having a baby?"

REGGIE: "That's what I went for this year."

And then they looked at each other with high hopes in their eyes.

I smiled, inside.

***

I was never really an advocate to anything religious. Sure I say my own prayers once in a while or when an occasion calls for it. Nonetheless, I never really had the need for something to become as passionate as turning myself into a devotee. I believe in my saints, I just don't play favorites.

I'd like to feel the passion most of these people have for them feasts and patron saints in the things that I do. They disregard obstacles and pains just to get through these rituals of some sort, with hopes that their prayers be answered.

What if these devotees channel their passion for their saints into their families and jobs eh? With the same passion and devotion, their wishes will turn into reality on a daily basis. And feasts would have lesser participants.

Maybe that's why God made our country poor. He wanted people to grow close to Him. If only we'd prayed a little harder, worked a little better, and loved a little longer, we'd be praying for other people's intentions instead. Because by then, we are finally...happy.