There is a holy item that was mostly talked about in the entire film, which is called “The Sleeping St. Joseph”. According to the Holy story, Joseph had some doubts of being with Mary when she was pregnant, and the lord came into his dreams while he’s asleep, entrusting the life of Mary and Baby Jesus into his hands. The said item symbolizes trusting God’s plan and surrendering your worries at a time of peace. Pope Francis introduced the said item to the world, as he carried it from Argentina to the Vatican. He believes that writing his worries on a piece of paper and putting it under the Sleeping St. Joseph will ease his mind on worldly problems.
In the Philippines, the Filipinos raved about the item when the Pope visited us back in 2015, and several crafts companies began to reproduce it, including TML Holy Crafts Inc., which is located in Brgy. Bagong Nayon, Cogeo Village, Antipolo, Rizal. Divine Factory features the lives of its big and diverse factory workers. With a few talking-heads and a focus and still camera, the film wants us to observe and listen to their daily conversations, the process of their work, and their motivations to do the job.
The impoverished and discriminating life they are facing are genuinely presented, starting from the company they are working for and also the outside world. And with some of them belonging to the minorities, the amount of danger they are facing is alarming, may it be health-related or safety concerns. As they tell their own personal stories, I can see how each of them have formed a stronger version of faith.
While their faith is molded in Catholicism, it is not just God themself that they trust. They continue to thrive on entrusting it in the hopes of finding true love. Manifesting a better future, by working stronger and harder each day, allowing themselves to simple pleasures and providing for the comfort of their loved ones. Through their eyes and thoughts, allowing yourself to have faith doesn’t have to be so complicated because sometimes, closing your eyes can enlighten your other senses as well.
I remember watching the film in the cinema, with some of the factory workers present. They were so happy to see themselves on the big screen. They were talking to themselves, laughing and teasing each other as to how each of them turned out in the film. In the end, the film showed the Antipolo church’s Sunday activities, overflowing with people attending the mass, and some wanting their cars and holy accessories blessed with holy water.
Upon seeing such holy accessories truly changed me because aside from knowing that the items are cared for from its small details, its makers put their genuine hopes and dreams on each of them, along with their resilient faith that won’t be easily ruined.
