I had paid a visit to the beautiful church of Sibulan. I did not have a great religious upbringing and certainly not Catholic. I am fascinated by these grandiose buildings, often built with donations from those who have the least and saved bitterly from their mouths. When I stepped back out at the far end, where the altar was, I came upon people maintaining an open fire under a large black metal can.

After I asked what was going on here, I was told that they were melting down the wax collected from burned candles and making new candles from it.

I was then allowed to watch this process. The black candles are sold by the candle women sitting around the church cheaper than the brand new white candles.