In Quiapo, one’s future can be predicted —that is, in the words of the fortune-tellers. With an ironic yet strategic location sprawling around the large Plaza Miranda square and to the north, the Quiapo Church, fortune-tellers invite the hopeless, the hopeful, the desperate, and the curious to see their future.

 

          With options ranging from palm reading, tarot reading, cartomancy, and astrology, some Quiapo visitors indulge themselves to listen to visions of their future, to find answers to questions that cannot be otherwise addressed in the realm of logic and science, and to be amused by the seemingly mystical experience of participating in one. As observed by Sarao and Cornista (2014) and chronicled in The LaSallian, in their visit in Quiapo “there is almost nothing on their tables: no crystal balls, no talismans or anting-anting’s; only a stack of tarot cards.”

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          According to Evangelista (1992), there are three ways in which these fortune-tellers acquired the ability of prophecy: 1) they claim that it is a gift from God; 2) they have thoroughly studied their art; and 3) they inherited their abilities from other people (usually relatives).

 

          Some churchgoers, among the multitudes who visit Quiapo Church, pray zealously and pay homage to Nuestro Padre Señor Jesus de Nazareno and then afterwards, they go outside and turn to a popular part of the complex where they are yet to perform the act of discovering their future. This portion of the vast vicinity of Quiapo presents in systematic alignment the stalls of fortune-tellers that attract people’s attention easily. A close encounter with the stalls brings about the experience of being called upon to partake in fortune-telling, an act that is enticing and truly persuasive for some people.

 

          Fortune-telling is an enigmatic journey to embark on. The interpretation of signs or symbols, as suggested by the tarot cards or as shown in a person’s hands, and the contact with supernatural forces heighten the ambiguity already depictive of fortune-telling. Yet, many people are drawn to perform it, even after attending the Holy Mass to pray for God’s graces. It appears that some churchgoers are excited to know in advance what awaits them in their future. The thought of mysticism in this intuitive spiritual revelation stimulates people’s urge to unravel the unknown and the mysterious.

 

          The stall of each fortune-teller is conspicuously fascinating: the table is covered with colorful papers (usually with pieces of information about palmistry or fortune-telling through a person’s hands) and it is adorned with cards (typically tarot cards)-the sight of which creates a mixture of reactions from passersby - carefully stacked on one side; and the signage boasts what the fortune-teller can do (e.g., spiritual healing, feng shui, ritual for amulets, etc.) and it indicates the aspects of life (e.g., studies, employment, marriage, business, etc.) that can be predicted. Many of the fortune-tellers are garbed in multicolored clothes and adorned with vibrant ornaments that are truly eye-catching. They call on potential customers with much gusto. Their lively enthusiasm is palpable in the way they hold a person’s hands to reveal his/her palms or the manner in which they shuffle the tarot cards gracefully. All of these are appealing to some churchgoers who are curious about their destiny.