With the enhanced community quarantine now forcing people to stay at home, some churches are now using technology to reach out to their respective congregations.

Ministers or church staff are using the most accessible and ready-made tools for the occasion without much tinkering: smartphones and Facebook Live. The more tech-savvy ones reach for their laptops and camera, and pair it with software that are more associated with game streaming.

Others have also found creative ways to involve church members living separately in the service using messaging apps and video call services.

For EDSA Shrine guest priest Fr. Larry Abaco​, regardless of the physical distance, believers are not separated from the love of God.

"We may not be physically present, but in spirit we are one in Christ and we are united in prayer. And we want to give this feeling to the people, even though you are not able to come to the church, still we are united in prayer. God has not abandoned us, the Church is not abandoning you, we are still close to you in the internet, which is also a gift of God." 

Connecting the vulnerable

While virtual worship keeps others connected spiritually at home, others reach out to give others, even for a time, a home amid the lockdown.

De La Salle University Manila and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde have taken in the homeless of Manila after a center in Tayuman was forced to close by barangay officials and members of the Philippine National Police for violating guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine.

Around 79 people are staying at DLSU-Manila's sports center while another group of 70 people stay at Benilde's covered court.

Fr. Flavie Villanueva, head of the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, aims to provide the 3 pillars in combating COVID-19 which is hygiene, food and sustenance, and quarantine to the vulnerable, all in one place and in what he calls a "safe space.”

”Walang sisigaw sa kanila, walang magtataboy sa kanila. They are safe here and as always we would treat them with respect, because that is what they deserve."