MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of devotees joined the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Thursday, January 9.
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is the biggest showcase of faith in Asia’s most predominantly Catholic country. As a way to express their faith during the feast, the faithful participate in the Traslacion, a grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene.
For its #StoryoftheNation campaign, MovePH, the civic engagement arm of Rappler, partnered with The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas and The Communicator of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and went around the procession route to ask devotees what made their devotion strong and faithful. (READ: Filipinos online offer prayers for world peace on Feast Day of Black Nazarene)
Long-time devotees
Nanay Bing, 55, a canteen helper from Makati, said she had been participating in the Traslacion ever since she was a child. She must have attended this for almost 30 years, she said.
During this annual religious event, she prays for a complete family.
“Ang dinadalangin ko lang 'yung makasama ko lang ulit ang mga anak ko kasi hiwahiwalay nga kami dahil sa dami ng problema. Tapos, 'yung lakas ng katawan para makapagtrabaho, lakas ng loob para makayanin lahat ng pagsubok,” Nanay Bing said.
(I am praying to be reunited with my children because we are separated due to so many problems. Then, to be given the strength to work and surpass the challenges of life.)
Emelita Araw celebrated her 79th birthday while taking part in the procession. She said the devotion to the Black Nazarene was handed down by her mother.
"Matagal na akong deboto. Kasi ka-birthday ko si Black Nazarene. Since birth, nandito na ako. Dinadala ako ng nanay ko. Kasi nung baby pa ako, sabi ng nanay ko, between life and death ako. Kaya nagdeboto siya kay Black Nazarene. Since then, every year until now, hindi kami pumapalya sa pagpunta," she said.
(I’ve been a devotee for a long time since the Black Nazarene and I have the same birthday. Since birth, I was being brought by my mother [to the procession]. I was in a life-and-death situation when I was still a baby, that was why my mother became a devotee. Since then, we have never failed to attend this spiritual gathering every year.)
Devotee for a reason
After the tragic experience of losing a child, 58-year old Corazon dela Cruz said her devotion to the Black Nazarene healed and restored her.
"Kasi nung nanganak ako noon, patay 'yung unang anak ko. Kaya nung nanganak ako ulit, nagdirediretso na pamamanata ko. Palagi ako namamanata para sa mga anak ko," Dela Cruz said. (My firstborn died after I gave birth to her. So, after my second pregnancy, I continued my devotion to the Black Nazarene and always made sure to keep it for my children.)
Luzviminda Constantino's devotion to the Black Nazarene came as a family tradition that she wanted to continue.
“Nung nawala ang asawa ko, ako na ang nagpatuloy (When my husband passed away, I continued the tradition for him),” the 69-year-old Constantino said.
This year, she asked for long life and good health for her and her grandchildren.
Miracle of touch
Though not really a prayerful and religious person, 32-year-old Karlo Laquindanum from Velasquez, Tondo, admitted he felt the call to seek and touch the Black Nazarene to show his devotion.
He said he’d been doing this since 2000, and this year is no exemption. He was one of the thousands of devotees who made it a point to touch the Black Nazarene during Traslacion 2020.
“Inaaya lang ako hanggang sa nasanayan ko na rin na ang sarap, ang saya, lalo na kapag naglilingkod ka sa Panginoon sa pagsampa mo. Makahawak lang ako rito, gagaling ako. Makahawak lang ako rito, mga magulang ko, maayos ang buhay namin taon-taon, na huwag na kami malayo sa kaligtasan," Laquindanum said.
(I was just invited to join the procession at first until I got used to the feeling of fulfillment. It makes me happy, especially when I am able to serve the Lord by participating in the Traslacion. If I am able to touch it, I’d feel better, and my parents, we’d have a good life every year and that we would be safe.)
The case is different for 52-year-old Mario Rey.
He said he decided to take the challenge of trying to go near the Black Nazarene during the Traslacion when his youngest child faced a critical condition after experiencing a 3-day fever.
“Siyempre, ako'y namanata kasi buhat nung aking bunso ay nag 50/50. Talagang ako’y nanalig sa Kanya,” he said. (I became a devotee because of my youngest who faced a 50/50 possibility of dying. I truly put my trust in Him.)
Act of thanksgiving
Hailing from Calamba, Laguna, 40-year-old Nestor Obin made the journey to Manila to attend this year’s Traslacion on Thursday. He did it to give thanks for the blessings he had received.
After being infected with tuberculosis, Manong Antonio said he remained thankful he was able to recover.
"Pumayat ako, naging buto't balat, wala na halos. Binubuhat na lang ako, hindi na ako kumakain. Pasasalamat ko 'to sa muli kong paggaling. Kasi nagkasakit ako [noon], halos patay na ako, sinuot ko lang 'yung binigay sa'kin na damit. Hanggang lumakas ako,” he narrated.
(I lost weight, just skin and bones. I was being lifted just to be able to eat. This is my way of thanksgiving. When I got sick, I thought I was going to die. I wore the clothes that they gave me until I got well.)
Manong Enrico, 64, a tricycle driver, said the Black Nazarene gives his life purpose.
– Rappler.com