Philippines (with Timor-Leste) is one of only two countries in Asia where the population is Roman Catholic in its majority. It is estimated that over 80 percent of the over 100 million Filipinos is Catholic, making it the third largest Catholic community in the world. In the Philippines the Church is still very influential. It permeates Filipinos’ day to day life with a strength seen in few other places in the world. Likewise, many Filipinos live their faith with a fervor forgone in most places. The Philippines is not an easy place where to live; Many hold on to the cross as their last hope. 

As Filipino author Clara Kiat writes in her prologue to Viacrucis, the book I am preparing with this work:

"Perhaps the opiate isn’t so much religion as faith. Faith is our bulwark against the persistent specter of hardship and calamity. In this country destiny is what is etched in the lines of your palm. We do not determine destiny – it determines us. Only faith stands between us and the abyss with nothing and no one to break the fall. We are constantly reminded of the caprices of nature and of those who rule over us. How much more until the rain leads to a raging flood? How many more of these tremors must we endure until the earth splits open? Up to what point can we make demands of those who control the levers of power, who often have no qualms resorting to violence for their convenience? It is terrifying to contemplate and only a good, long drag at our drug of choice will numb the horror. We cling to faith with all our might and hold on to it as long as we can, like Christ’s crucified hands still hanging from the cross long after a cyclone’s fury swept the rest of him away."