Faith, devotion and black magic in the Philippines

Veejay Villafranca is an award-winning photographer whose photo documentaries have been shown around Asia and Europe. In 2008, his photo documentary "Marked: The gangs of Baseco" won an Ian Parry scholarship award. He is the first Filipino to win the prestigious award. In this photo essay, he immerses himself in the diverse religious rituals of the Philippines. He dives into the center of the devotees in the Feast of the Black Nazarene, he joins a Manila-based religious group called the 25 Mysteries, and he travels to the mystical island of Siquijor to document Lenten rituals of faith healers, witch doctors, and practitioners of black magic commonly known as "mangkukulam." Click here for a larger view