MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of people flocked to the EDSA Shrine early Tuesday morning, November 26, in an unexpected turnout that church officials described as unusual for a weekday.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Fr. Jerome Secillano, EDSA Shrine’s Rector, said that individuals arrived at the shrine as early as 6 a.m., with many joining the church’s 7 a.m. mass.
“As early as 6 a.m. today, Nov. 26, hundreds of people trooped to EDSA Shrine for reasons only known to them, and for some, unknown to them,” Secillano’s statement read.
After the mass, a significant number of people chose to remain inside the shrine, which led to rumors that some were asked to leave.
However, Secillano categorically denied these claims, emphasizing that no one was asked to leave.
“They again attended the mass at 12:15 p.m. and we were glad that they filled-up the pews which do not normally happen on weekdays,” he said in a statement.
“They will be allowed again to stay inside the shrine on the pretext that they are praying and not doing things not proper for a house of worship,” he added.
The sudden surge in attendance remains unexplained, according to the rector, with some attendees citing personal reasons and others uncertain about their motives.
Secillano also said that attendees would continue to be welcomed into the shrine as long as their behavior aligned with its purpose as a house of worship.
Prohibited activities, according to the rector, including eating, drinking, carrying slogans, shouting, vlogging, sleeping and other actions deemed inappropriate for a sacred place.
“We insist that proper decorum be practiced in this sacred place, a house of worship and a repository of the Blessed Sacrament,” he said
“Be informed that we won’t tolerate any unruly behavior and untoward activities that may compromise the sanctity and dignity of the House of God,” he added.
Built in 1989, the EDSA Shrine was the site of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, which toppled the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and the 2001 EDSA 2 Revolution, which led to the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.