Catholic priest Eduardo "Ponpon" Vasquez has worn a hazmat suit more than a vestment this past month. His parish in the populous Caloocan area of the Philippine capital Manila has been eerily quiet in the six weeks since the government put half of the country's population on a strict lockdown to try to curb coronavirus infections. Public gatherings, schools, transport services, and non-essential work has been halted, including that of the church. Priests in the predominantly Catholic nation have had to be creative in finding ways to keep the faithful engaged. Most have resorted to streaming online masses while others have set up pews outside churches. Some have printed pictures of parishioners and displayed them inside their closed chapels. But for Vasquez, the physical presence of the church is more important now than ever. These days, he wears his stole and oblate cross over a blue hazmat suit with a bottle of Holy Water in one hand and an alcohol spray in the other as he enters some of the poorest areas of his community to bring relief, both literal and spiritual. "The situation of many Filipinos these days is pitiful. Lockdown is not the same for everyone," said Vasquez. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "CORONAVIRUS PRIESTS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/PHILIPPINES CHURCH

A couple observe a moment of silence in memory of people who died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the balcony of their home, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

A cat yawns in the window of a house, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Pharmacy employees observe a moment of silence in memory people who died of coronavirus coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside a pharmacy, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Pharmacy employees observe a moment of silence in memory people who died of coronavirus coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside a pharmacy, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 11, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

A man prays at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People gather to pray at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

A man prays at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People gather to pray at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People stand outside a closed church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

A man poses for a photograph outside a closed church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Women hold crucifixes adorned with plastic flowers while posing for a photograph underneath the monument of the Cristo del Consuelo, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People react as a helicopter with two priests of the archdiocese blessing neighbourhoods, cemeteries and hospitals flies above, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People gather outside a closed church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

A man holds an image of Jesus Christ while praying at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

People gather to pray at the closed doors of a church amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during Holy Week celebrations, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino

A man touches the feet of Jesus Christ crucified on Good Friday, during a preventive quarantine after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Santiago, Chile, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza

Diego, 9, is greeted by a member of Civil Protection on the occasion of his ninth birthday, as he stands next to his brother on a window of their home, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Penitents observe a moment of silence outside their homes, to commemorate the canceled Holy Week procession of the Santo Entierro brotherhood, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

People applaud in support of healthcare workers from their balconies, with a Spanish flag and next to the garments of a penitent from Padre Jesus brotherhood, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Diego, 9, shows a drawing made by his grandparents to greet him on his birthday on lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. The drawing reads: "Happy birthday Diego". REUTERS/Jon Nazca

A canary is pictured inside a cage at the balcony of a house, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

The garments of a penitent are seen in the balcony of a house, to commemorate a canceled procession of the Santo Entierro brotherhood, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A man takes a picture on Good Friday as a truck carries a crucifix with the image of Jesus around the streets of Cernusco sul Naviglio, near Milan, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wearing a protective mask speaks next to Cernusco sul Naviglio's Mayor Ermanno Zacchetti at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honour of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A view shows a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honour of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A man looks out her balcony on Good Friday as a truck carries a crucifix with the image of Jesus around the streets of Cernusco sul Naviglio, near Milan, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy, April 10, 2020. Sign reads: "Everything is going to be alright". REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wears a protective mask next to a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wears a protective mask next to a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A view shows a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

Neighbors look out their balconies on Good Friday as a truck carries a crucifix with the image of Jesus around the streets of Cernusco sul Naviglio, near Milan, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

Neighbors look out their balconies on Good Friday as a truck carries a crucifix with the image of Jesus around the streets of Cernusco sul Naviglio, near Milan, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A woman looks out her window on Good Friday as a truck carries a crucifix with the image of Jesus around the streets of Cernusco sul Naviglio, near Milan, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wearing a protective mask looks on next to a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wears a protective mask next to a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

A priest wears a protective mask next to a crucifix with the image of Jesus at a cemetery, where a commemoration in honor of the victims of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was celebrated on Good Friday, in Cernusco sul Naviglio near Milan, Italy April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

Actors arrive to take part in a closed to the public re-enacting of Passion of Christ at the Cuevita church on Good Friday, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Actors arrive to take part in a closed to the public re-enacting of Passion of Christ at the Cuevita church on Good Friday, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID -19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Soldiers and members of the Mexican National Guard walk past a closed park near the Cuevita church on Good Friday, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romeo

A penitent carries a cross at a partially deserted street on Good Friday, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romeo

Police officers are pictured along a closed streets near the Cuevita church on Good Friday after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS / Henry Romeo

A police officer walks past a closed street near the Cuevita church on Good Friday after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/ Henry Romero

Salvador Recuenco and his girlfriend watch previous Holy Week processions that are being broadcasted on TV after the cancellation of the processions due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Cuenca, Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Susana Vera

People play drums and make noise with kitchen tools from their balcony after Holy Week processions were cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Cuenca, Spain, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A penitent carries a cross on Good Friday in an almost empty street, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romero

A penitent carries a cross on Good Friday in an almost empty street, after the Mexican government declared a health emergency and issued stricter regulations to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Iztapalapa neighborhood, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Romero

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is seen empty on Holy Week, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is seen empty on Holy Week, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Residents applaud to commemorate a canceled procession from Padre Jesus brotherhood during the Holy Week next to a church, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

A woman looks on from her window as she listens to religious music from a speaker next to a church commemorating a canceled procession from Padre Jesus brotherhood during the Holy Week, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

A woman looks on from her window as she listens to religious music from a speaker next to a church commemorating a canceled procession from Padre Jesus brotherhood during the Holy Week , amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Eleuterio Moya, 54, and his daughters Paloma, 25, (C) and Marta, 22, members of the Arunda band music, play their instruments on the porch of their home as they celebrate the Holy Week, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Neighbours listen as Eleuterio Moya, 54, and his daughters Paloma, 25, (C) and Marta, 22, members of the Arunda band music, play their instruments on the porch of their home as they celebrate the Holy Week, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Eleuterio Moya, 54, and his daughters Paloma, 25, (C) and Marta, 22, members of the Arunda band music, play their instruments on the porch of their home as they celebrate the Holy Week, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during the Holy Week in Ronda, southern Spain, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Encarna and Paz watch a Holy Week mass officiated via video call by Raul Garcia, priest of the Nuestra Senora de la Paz church, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Marina watches a Holy Week mass officiated via video call by Raul Garcia, priest of the Nuestra Senora de la Paz church, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A view of hand sanitiser and pictures of the faithful of the Nuestra Senora de la Paz church, placed on the church's benches for a Holy Week mass, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Priest Raul Garcia gets ready for a Holy Week mass, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Priest Raul Garcia points at pictures of the faithful of the Nuestra Senora de la Paz church, placed on one of the church's benches on the occasion of a Holy Week mass, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A view shows pictures of the altar boys of the Nuestra Senora de la Paz church, placed on one of the church's benches, as priest Raul Garcia officiates a Holy Week mass, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the Villar del Arzobispo village, near Valencia, Spain April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce