Jesushammad bless you
The Philippines is the only major Christian country in Asia, asides Christianity we are also home to plenty of Muslims. I don't care if you are from either or if you don't believe in any because what this blog is focused on is the power of Filipino faith, not specifically faith in any religion but the very core of "faith" itself.
Philippines is a very Religious country, several branches of Christianity all celebrate their individual fests with high regard and respect. Despite our certain tiffs with each other, we get along pretty well in contrast to what some people think. Even the Muslims and Christians co exist peacefully. Both faiths and all their branches have a very important role in the Philippines as this encompasses every single topic that I have blogged about so far. Placebo, Superstition, Mythology, Optimism, Shamanism. Well...maybe not the monsters part but you get the point.
From our travels to Baguio (and sometimes on other occasions) I think we have all seen those signboards that say "Faith healing seminar" etc. I'm generally a skeptic person but from what I've heard, there have been people cured by the powers of their faith. This is all too similar to the Placebo effect, maybe their minds, because of the power of extreme belief, they actually manage to cure themselves. And this has happened not only in Christian circles, but on Shamanic and even modern doctors experiences. According to the article "Spiritual Healing - Psychic surgery uncovered" written by Clifford Sawhney found on the website www.lifepositive.com
The article writes about a Spiritual healer named Alex Orbito, he's been famous for curing people with nothing but his bare hands. There have been many people who have done the same with the use of prayers, and if this kind of method works for someone without having any negative effects. I think it's an absolute Godsend.
Asides faith healing, a more important aspect in the Faith of Filipinos is the belief that there would always be a better tomorrow under the mercy of God/Allah. I can't recall all the typhoons we have been hit by and all the prayers I have heard asking for Gods guidance, mercy, love etc. This faith in their religions has allowed people to think positively despite their odds. Several Churches my family know have mobilized aid via Donations to the victims of Yolanda. According to the article "Surviving the Typhoon" Written by Jesse Hyde found on the website www.Deseret News.com
"One of the sisters suggested they pray. They huddled closely together, bowed their heads, and with the rain dripping down their chins, asked God to make the water stop. And then, in what Sister Smith could only describe as the greatest miracle of her life, the sea stopped rising."
The article describes a tale about a group of nuns during the Typhoon in Tacloban who did everything they could to survive and help others. Once they ran out of options, for sure they knew it was over so they began to pray. Miraculously..the rain stopped. Whether or not this was extreme coincidence or it truly was the act of an all powerful God, we cannot doubt the bravery these women displayed as a day later, despite having no contact with other missionaries, braved their way through the chaos of a land that had now become lawless. Despite the gunshots, despite the danger, they did what they could to help people and according to them they did this because they were "Guided by the Spirit and their survival instincts".
These events have inspired faith in so many people, as I said in my very first post. The power to believe is mankind's greatest ability. Regardless of the faith you believe in, hold on to it. Strengthen your beliefs. When all is lost and all sense of rational and logical options go down the drain, believe. Human beings have known to go against impossible odds because of this, it is a key to our tenacity and will to live. So to conclude this 7 part blog post, I would just like to say...
†God bless†
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