Out here in the Philippines lies a tradition brought out from the dark ages of history. Today's patron as seen on Catholic calendars, Jesus of Nazarene, was brought out from the Quiapo throne to be paraded through a few streets in Manila highly akin to Jaganatha (a Hindu festival in which a statue of Vishnu is paraded from one shrine to another as it is borne on a great pallet, a temple by its right, indeed the festival by which the word "juggernaut" has come). A day originally meant to distribute blessings, to rekindle old promises, to seek divine boon. A cynic will see here the petty desperation of people oppressed who hope for a better life than what they have at the present. That's what they think.

Today's feast day (AS SEEN ON TV!) was beset with a general picture of today's Filipino as we know ourselves. We are largely Manileños! Yup, we have some from far-flung places as Masbate or Sorsogon but events such as these from Manila are as important, or more so, than Nani Perez's upcoming case in the Ombudsman! Indeed, it is a matter of life and death as plenty of men and women die, injure themselves by countless ways, and typically put themselves in pain all for the sake of wiping a hankie to the icon. Many Filipino people rush to risk of physical danger, if only for the chance to experience the supernatural. Indeed we are desperate.

One can also smell the coming May elections from the TV. Banners, hankies, and sundry items dot the festive air, aside from politicians and other celebrities who flock to publicity. I desire not to talk about them.

One comes curious as to why other nations typically parade their own Nazareno during Lent (appropriate as can be), but I haven't checked their calendars.

Here's a video from a Latin American country. Let's play Spot The Differences.