Face of Jesus allegedly appears on wall in Palo, Leyte

Residents of Barangay San Miguel in Palo, Leyte reported seeing what they believe to be the face of Jesus on a wall after a recent rain.

According to Kuya Kim's report in "24 Oras" on Wednesday, video uploader Caryl Del Carmen said the image prompted many to stop, pray, and light candles at the site.

"As a Catholic, isang glance ko lang sir, 'yun din talaga yung nakita ko. Image 'yun ni Jesus," Del Carmen said.

"'Yung iba nagdadasal, nag-aano ng kandila doon sa may parte na 'yon. Malapit lang dito 'yung Missionaries of Charity, 'yung mga sister. Pumunta din doon, kinabukasan ng umaga. Wala na doon, parang two hours lang na 'yung image niya na andoon," she added.

Despite lasting for only about two hours, the wall continues to attract visitors.

"Hanggang ngayon sir, meron pa din pumunta dito, nagsisindi ng kandila. Pumasok lang sa isip ko na mag-holy week na, nagre-remind sa atin ng pananampalataya," Del Carmen said.

Netizens have shared mixed reactions online, with some calling it a miracle while others remain skeptical.

However, the church clarified that the sighting cannot be officially declared an apparition or miracle without thorough investigation. 

"Hindi puwedeng sabihin ang simbahang totoo 'yung aparisyon. Kasi mahabang investigation 'yan. Maraming pamamaraan ang parang mga appearances, lalo na kung religious in nature. Pero kadalasan diyan ay natural phenomenon," Fr. Francis Lucas the President and CEO of Catholic Media Network said.

Lucas added that lighting candles is not a bad thing as it depends on how you interpret what you see. 

"Nasa interpretation mo 'yung nakita mo. Tama sana kung ito ay may religious interpretation," he said.

From a scientific perspective, experts said that it might be a case of pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon where the human brain perceives familiar shapes or faces in random patterns.

"Puwedeng i-simplify natin na ang pareidolia ay parang ilusyon. Like for example, kapag makita tayong shadow sa pader o kapag nakita tayo ng mukha sa pagkain natin o kapag nakita tayo ng ulap tapos parang mayroong shape ang ulap," Psychiatrist Randy Dellosa said.

"Bakit nangyayari ito? Dahil ito sa paraan ng pagproseso ng ating utak sa mga impormasyon, lalo na mga pattern at mukha," he added.

According to the expert, during Holy Week, people naturally become more spiritually or religiously inclined, making them more open both mentally and emotionally to spiritual experiences. 

"Ang karanasan ng pareidolia ay isang normal na proseso o phenomenon sa tao. Kaya hindi ito masama. And kung nakaka-experience tayo ng pareidolia at nakakita tayo ng mga spiritual na images, siguro ito ay dapat pag-aralan natin," Dellosa explained.

Meanwhile, Lucas said that if the image serves as a reminder, it may inspire people to continue returning to their faith. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News