Philippines observes Good Friday

AFPManilaPeople in the fervently Catholic Philippines marked Good Friday, in acts of devotion that attracted thousands of spectators.The annual ritual in scorching hot farmlands just outside of Manila is one of many colourful outpourings of faith in the Southeast Asian nation, where 80% of its 100mn people are Catholics. San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias has discouraged extreme acts of devotion, saying there are other ways to profess one’s faith.“Our acts should be geared toward good works. Christian life is not something that is done overnight,” he counselled.San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago openly conceded that the religious ritual has vast economic benefits for the community.“We don’t have the exact record of the money... but for sure the Good Friday activities help our locals in their businesses,” he said.This year’s spectacle attracted a crowd of 60,000, roughly the same number last year, San Fernando Councillor Harvey Quiwa told AFP.While organisers tried to keep the event solemn, the general mood appeared more festive with dozens of hawker stalls selling food and souvenirs, giant streamers of mobile phone companies set up in various places and crowds taking photos with their smartphone and tablet cameras.Foreign tourists flocked to view the spectacle.Waldemar Traczyk, 50, a history professor from Poland, said he saved up for seven years so he and his wife could fly to the Philippines to witness Friday’s events.The Philippines is known around the world for its fervent brand of Catholicism, which was introduced by Spanish colonisers in the 1500s.An annual procession in downtown Manila drew 5.5mn barefoot devotees last January, authorities said.A mass by Pope Francis in the capital’s main outdoor park a week later drew a record crowd of 6mn people.