‘Kindness has no religion’: Muslim warms hearts by donating food during Traslacion

January 12, 2026 – 2:28 PM

Filipino Catholic devotees surround the carriage carrying the statue of the Black Nazarene as it is returned to Quiapo Church during the annual procession, which lasted nearly 31 hours, in Manila, Philippines, January 10, 2026. (Reuters/Noel Celis)

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A Muslim Filipino’s initiative to donate food and water to

Black Nazarene

devotees during the

Traslacion

warmed the hearts of many Filipinos.

Mawiyag Sarip,

regional director of Alpha Phi Omega’s National Capital Region chapter, was among those who practiced “caridad” during the annual grand procession attended by Catholic devotees on Friday, January 9.

“Caridad,” which means “charity” in Spanish, refers to the act of sharing food or drinks with others, a practice commonly observed during Holy Week.

Sarip was among those who handed out free water and food to participants in the annual procession, which carries the image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

He took the initiative with his group, saying in an

interview

: “Regardless of religion, basta makatulong kami sa mamamayan, ‘yun lang ginagawa namin.”

“Muslim donates food during Traslacion: This is more than Religion,” the post’s title read.

“Nakakatuwa isipin na ginagawa ng mga Muslim ito kahit magkaiba sila ng paniniwala, especially nasa iisang komunidad sila,” a

Reddit user

“This is common in Zamboanga City. Kung may calamity, residents of both religion, nagtutulungan. Kaya don’t group them with the extremists, kasi ang daming religious Muslim na gumagawa ng volunteer works alongside Christians,” another

said

“Hope we can keep this kind of energy tbh [to be honest], I’m happy,” a different

Pinoy

“Kindness has no religion. Salamat po!” another

Redditor said

Another Reddit user pointed out that it is not only Muslims who extend such acts of kindness.

user

said.

A fellow Black Nazarene devotee was also seen giving food to her fellow devotees, a practice she has been doing for 50 years.

The devotee,

Concepcion Montero

, said they will continue the initiative “for as long as they can.”