It was a cloudy Saturday morning and I was strolling downtown Manila with my friend Mac. We heard mass at Sta. Cruz church and paved the iskinita of Sta Cruz all the way to Quiapo. I cant believe I was in Quiapo church. I was so hyper because for 25 years in my life it wa my first time to be there. I touched the Nazareno ( cross bearing Christ) and observed the fast paced life of Quiapo.

The place was a mixture of Religion and Paganism. On the side of the Shrine were the Manghuhula ( fortune tellers) and different herbs and medicine that can abort babies. It was contradiction at its finest. I asked my friend why the church is allowing these vendors to sell in their vicinity and it was revealed to me that those drugs are working in contrast to its purpose.

I was tempted to go to a Fortune Teller and based on his Tarot cards (which cost 100 pesos) 2005 is a good year for me. I wont devulge the rest, you might get jealous (kidding!).

I went up and down the underpass which I found so normal.

I plan to return to Quaipo and bring my camera along for touristic reasons. I just wish I could bring myself and my camera home in the same way I arrived there.