Protesters scuffle with anti-riot police during a protest rally to mark the 161th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, widely considered a national hero in Philippine history, in Manila, Philippines, 30 November 2024. Protesters, joined by labor groups and other cause-oriented organizations, held a demonstration to call for higher wages and lowering of basic commodities. (Photo by Francis R. Malasig/EPA)





Philippine drug convict and former death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso is kissed by her sons at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on December 18, 2024. (Photo by Lisa Marie David/Reuters)





People visit Christmas tree displays as they celebrate Christmas at the Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines, on December 25, 2024. (Photo by Lisa Marie David/Reuters)





Fireworks light up the sky ushering in the New Year in Makati, Metro Manila on January 1, 2025. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)





A woman covers a child's ear during New Year celebrations on a street in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on December 31, 2024. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Children light firecrackers during New Year celebrations at a street in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on December 31, 2024. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Fireworks explode over Rockwell Center in celebration of the New Year in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on January 1, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Filipino Catholic devotees raise their hands to be blessed with holy water during the parade of Black Nazarene replicas ahead of its feast day, in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines, on January 2, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Filipino Catholic devotees raise their hands to be blessed with holy water during the parade of Black Nazarene replicas ahead of its feast day, in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines, on January 2, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Filipino Catholic devotees gesture as they attend the annual procession of the Black Nazarene on its feast day in Manila, Philippines, on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Filipino Catholic devotees attend the annual procession of the Black Nazarene on its feast day in Manila, Philippines, on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Filipino Catholic devotees surround the carriage carrying the statue of the Black Nazarene as its annual procession begins on its feast day in Manila, Philippines, on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





A vendor selling t-shirts depicting the face of the Black Nazarene uses her phone, on the feast day of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines, on January 9, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





Devotees climb on a glass-covered carriage carrying the image of Jesus Nazareno during its annual procession in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Photo byh Basilio Sepe/AP Photo)





Catholic devotees attend the annual religious procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila on January 9, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims swarmed the streets of Manila in search of a miracle on January 9, straining to reach a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ in an annual display of religious fervour. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)





Catholic devotees attend the annual religious procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila on January 9, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims swarmed the streets of Manila in search of a miracle on January 9, straining to reach a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ in an annual display of religious fervour. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)





A diver dressed as “Mermaid of the Serpent Depths” performs in front of a sign marking the Lunar New Year of the Snake inside an aquarium at Manila Ocean Park on January 28, 2025. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)





A performer breathes fire during Lunar New Year celebrations at Binondo district, considered the world's oldest Chinatown, on January 29, 2025 in Manila, Philippines. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, will begin on January 29, 2025, marking the Year of the Snake. The celebrations, which last for approximately 15 days, are filled with traditional activities such as family gatherings, lion dances, and the exchange of red envelopes, making it a vibrant cultural event observed by Chinese communities worldwide. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)





Dragon dancers perform while firecrackers explode during Lunar New Year celebrations in Binondo, Manila, Philippines on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





A dancer blows fire during Lunar New Year celebrations in Binondo, Manila, Philippines, on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)