Two events that showcased Filipinos’ unique ability to muster unity on an epic scale happened one after the other this early in 2025. We’re talking about the yearly Traslacion of the Jesus Nazareno last 9 January and the National Rally for Peace of the Iglesia ni Cristo that was staged on 13 January.

The former turned the streets of Manila into a chaotic symphony of sweat, fervor and bare feet as millions of devotees joined the annual pilgrimage, while the latter very much bore the mark of an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) undertaking with its penchant for massive, orderly gatherings that rival the Traslacion in crowd size and logistical ambition.

But just how do they stack up in the grand scheme of relevance, especially as inflation continues to wreak havoc on household budgets?

Let’s start with the Traslacion. This annual procession is the mother of all religious spectacles.

Picture this: a sea of humanity, desperately reaching for a chance to touch a miraculous statue that, if stories are to be believed, can cure everything from toothaches to terminal cancer.

Devotees endure suffocating crowds and the occasional sprain — a small price to pay for a shot at divine intervention.

In many ways, the Traslacion is the ultimate display of Pinoy resilience. “Kapit lang,” as they say, literally and figuratively, even if it’s someone else’s arm you’re clinging to in the fray.

On the other hand, the INC peace rally was a masterclass in precision and discipline. Imagine a crowd of similar magnitude, but everyone’s neatly lined up like a human barcode. They had matching umbrellas, synchronized chants and not a stray piece of trash in sight.

If the Traslacion is the “YOLO” of mass gatherings, the INC peace rally is the corporate team-building seminar. One inspires awe with its raw passion; the other with its sheer organizational prowess.

But here’s the rub: can either event help Filipinos deal with the more pressing concern of the skyrocketing inflation? According to recent surveys, inflation has become the bane of everyday life. Prices of basic commodities are climbing faster than a jeepney driver’s temper during rush hour.

Yet, millions still choose to invest time, energy and, yes, money — a lot of it — in these grandiose events. Why? Because hope, is the currency that never devalues.

For the Traslacion devotees, the Jesus Nazareno embodies hope — a divine anchor in a sea of uncertainty. Sure, onions cost as much as artisanal coffee now, but touching that statue might just bring the miracle you’ve been praying for.

Meanwhile, an INC rally offers its members a sense of solidarity and purpose, an organized response to the chaos of daily life. It is not just a peace rally; it is a statement that says, “We’re in this together.” And in a country where community spirit often outweighs individual struggle, that matters.

Still, critics might argue that these events are mere distractions. After all, no amount of fervent chanting or synchronized umbrella opening can lower the price of rice. Yet, Filipinos are nothing if not resourceful. When economic conditions squeeze the life out of them, they turn to faith and solidarity to squeeze some life back in.

In the end, both the Traslacion and the INC peace rally reflect the Filipino way of coping with adversity. Whether through chaotic devotion or disciplined congregation, these events offer a temporary escape from the grim realities of high inflation and economic hardship.

They remind us that while our wallets may be empty, our spirits remain full. And perhaps, in this land of perpetual crises, that’s the most relevant thing of all.