SUBSCRIBEBlack Nazarene, 2006
9 January and I filed a leave from work to be in Quiapo for the Black Nazarene festivities to take photos. Once again, devotees as well as the curious flocked to this part of Manila whose church houses the much revered and venerated image of the Christ (a 400 year old image from Mexico that got burned, thus its called the Black Nazarene) to honor a panata (promise) or marvel at the display of (blind?) faith, daringness and spectacle that marks this annual feast.
The barefoot male (and a very few female) devotees await 1400H when the closed gates of the church are flung open as the thick ropes rapidly are drawn from the portal dragging the familiar carroza holding the sacred image accompanied by the explosion of firecrackers, shouts of Viva! Viva! Viva! and emphatic cry of devotion as pilgrims and devotees raise their hands and white kerchief.
Preceeding the carroza are two thick ropes that the male devotess tug. Die hard believers would risk life and limb just to touch or hold the rope, climb on the carroza to touch the image while others are content watching, following or having their kerchiefs and towels dabbed at the image’s face.
I was fortunate that I stayed at the elevated road leading to the bridge going to Manila City Hall that gave me a good vantage point for the procession as it happened. As the spectacle above unfolded before my eyes, I can’t help but feel the surge of excitement as well as thrill of the frenzy that was happening. Male and female devotees were pushing and pulling, there were shouts and cries of pain as well as ecstasy as I was also frantically taking shots upon shots! The whole atmosphere was filled electric!
Of course, the procession is not complete without the casualties. One was reported dead on arrival at the hospital as he was probably crushed in the seeming melee. More than 20 have been injured and as for these two men above, they were lucky to just suffer a cut or a bruise.
While waiting for the image to come out of the church, this devotee took his time to take a brief rest before the impending push and pull of the crowds as they jostle against each other starts. A calm before the storm!
Fervent devotees handing over their towels and kerchief for this men on top gets them to wipe the face of the image. They consider it sacred and the kerchiefs, after dabbing, is transformed into a sacred salve, a holy cloth that can cure sickness and pain of the body and soul.
Related posts:
Quiapo - Black Nazarene Feast
Quiapo, 2 - Insight
Quiapo, 3 - The Devotion
Quiapo, 4 - The Vendors
Quiapo, 5 - The Religious Sects
Quiapo, 6 - The Male Devotees
Quiapo, 7 - The Media
Quiapo, 8 - Other Images
Quiapo, 9 - Two Politicians in Contrast
Quiapo, 10 - Ma Mon Luk
Black Nazarene, 2006 - devotees
February 10th, 2006 at 2:30AM
Hi, my family is are devotees of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, since the mid 40’s which starts from my mother’s and father’s famillies. I would like to have a copy of the story about the Black Nazarene and how it started. Kindly e-mail it back to me, as I will give copies to most of my friends who are devotees as well and in fact we have a smaller statue of the Black Nazarene that we are sharing around with families and have them pray HIS novena for 1 week on their own homes.
Thank you very much in advance.
January 13th, 2006 at 7:34PM
Very professional report of this event. Congrats.
Like you I was deeply moved by the devotion of the people. Indeed something I will not easily forget.
As usual I am late with my pictures and my series of the Black Nazarene will only start next Monday.
I wish you a pleasant stay in Cebu for the Sinulog Festivities. Too bad I can’t go. Look forward to see your pictures of this event.