It was the first time in history of the Feast of Black Nazarene that the image was transferred to the Quirino Grandstand the day before the actual festivity. Act of devotion and vigil was held as part of the Black Nazarene's 400^th anniversary. Organizers were able to establish the crowd to give an even opportunity for the devotees to have a closer ‘connection' with the said miraculous icon.

For this year's celebration, they planned a longer route for the parade that will serve as a re-enactment of the first procession that happened on January 9, 1767 when they delivered the Black Nazarene from a church in Intramuros to the Minor Basilica in Quiapo. According to one devotee who was in Luneta that morning, they fetched the image earlier than the press released time (12:00 noon). The image was usually placed inside Quiapo Church by 10 o'clock in the evening. But since today's parade has a longer path, the event will be expected to end by late midnight. 

Reports said that there were only few injuries in this year's celebration compared last year. I actually witnessed an unconscious man carrying by a group of medics at the height of the parade. He was placed in a PSCO ambulance parked just right in front of me, where he was given proper first aid by the volunteer staff. After a few minutes, another devotee was shifted to the UP PGH ambulance for first aid application.

Keeping the Faith

We were marching from Recto heading to Quiapo Church at 11:00am. Devotees were walking everywhere, most of them wearing maroon or yellow-gold t-shirts with the Nazarene's face printed on it. If I didn't accidentally walked on someone else's foot, I wouldn't realize that these people were walking barefooted. We entered a fast-food chain hoping to find a safer place for photo opportunity. The place was already crowded and the people there were a combination of customers and bystanders waiting for a noteworthy scene of the Black Nazarene. Behind us spoke a man saying which way the Black Nazarene will about to appear. He was informing us that up here was the best place to get pictures without getting ourselves being mashed by the immense crowd. He is Mr. Bob Perez, a Dubai-based businessman who's here in the Philippines for vacation. He was there since early morning to attend the mass headed by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. According to him, his mother is a believer of the Black Nazarene and she had a strong faith that the image could cure all his childhood illnesses. But he always ended up crying in pain and in exhaustion. The tradition of attending the feast died along with his mother. It was the Mt. Pinatubo eruption when Mr. Perez lost their home in Bacolor Pampanga and the lahar took away their rice fields and his wife. He was in Saudi when the tragedy happened and all remained with him were his two children. Then his journey to Manila gave way to renew his mother's pledge in attending the feast of the Black Nazarene. "I don't believe in idology but I know faith can really move mountains", he opined. After reviving his faith to the Nazarene, the following years became a success to his career. He was able to start a new business and provide education for his children.

After some site study and ‘self-assessment', I risked my life putting myself on one of the Nazarene's route hoping to experience the feeling of being among the crowd and not just an observer from afar. I climbed the iron barricade to get to the other side of the road. I ran across the street surviving the passing automobiles. Then I clambered onto the four-feet high concrete island of the fly-over near the Quiapo Church. Two men sitting on the island helped me to get myself up to the lamp post, a real nice spot to get a closer look at the Black Nazarene. There I met Mang Dodeng. He attends the feast every year since birth. Mang Dodeng's grandmother used to take him to the parade in order to get blessings from the Nazarene. And when his grandmother died, he continued his lola's vow. His presence that day was also a part of his petition to improve her aunt's health. He told me that his aunt recently had an operation due to an 11-inch cyst found inside her uterus.

The long wait was over. The crowd cheered excitedly as they waived their white handkerchiefs and towels in the air. A cue that the Black Nazarene was approaching. Now I was in the middle of the immense mob only a bit elevated amongst them. The crowd was really swaying with the image. All were using their remaining strength to have a close encounter with the Nazarene. It was my first time to witness such scenery. I was having goosebumps when I saw people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender and race were frantically touching the carriage, the feet, the cross or whichever part of the image. Many of them were throwing their handkerchiefs or towels towards the Nazarene and the image keeper will rub these on the Nazarene as fast as they could then they will throw it back where they belong. 

I don't understand either for I am no Catholic but in respect to their beliefs, I was amazed on how they reminded me that faith indeed has no boundaries. Some who are against them may name these people but that in times like this, when our country is suffering from economic and political instability, we cannot blame these people to hope for a miracle.