Snake Oil Salesman In Tokyo
Last Sunday evening, I chanced upon this lady selling religious merchandise just outside the Akabane Catholic Church in north Tokyo. I decided to hang out here after coming from work and for thirty minutes I watched her sell magic Catholic stuffs like rosaries, statuettes, and banners. She said that the rosaries were blessed at Baclaran Church and that they bring all kinds of luck - mas gaganda ang guhit ng palad mo - according to one of her sales pitch. The bracelet even had a proper method of removing from the wrist by slowly sliding it instead of stretching it. But I thought, maybe it’s because if you stretch it, it may snap due to poor quality in both material and craftsmanship as usually is the case. Listening to her gives an impression of how Pinoys combine elements of traditional native superstition and pseudo-science with the cult that is Catholicism. And judging from the attention and appreciation by the buyers, gives the impression that the masa is also so well into it. For example, she said the beads of the rosary have powers which is not much different from magic crystals while saying the statuettes improve the lines of your palm combines elements of palmistry with Catholic garbage. Believe it or not, they sell like cupcakes! That’s how gullible our church-going kababayans here are.
Popularity: 21% [?]
April 16th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
You can use magic crystals to see things no? I want one too! I might see something good.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:06 am
its good business. religion. why else would they have outlets all over the city in every block. taking in profit by requiring citizens of the state to come every week or else burn in hell?
in the parish sto. rosario san pedro laguna, the parish priest responded to the question of opening its books for public scrutiny. he said and i quote .. “bukas lang ang libro sa mga nagbibigay ng donation sa simbahan” .. its not very transparent then.
when people go to church and give money. they are thinking its being given to charity. but how much of it really goes to charity. and how much goes to the legal defense of pedophiles among their rank?
April 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
max: “when people go to church and give money. they are thinking its being given to charity. but how much of it really goes to charity. and how much goes to the legal defense of pedophiles among their rank?”
max, this is an excellent insight. reminds me of the propagandist MH Del Pilar and his witty Aba Ginoong Barya. I wonder if I can expand on this and make a pamphlet and leave it at church pews? Hehe
T