Couple credits good health to Nazarene

LONG WAIT Devotees of the Black Nazarene gather at the Quirino Grandstand for the “pahalik.” –MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Among the thousands of devotees who were at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park on Tuesday for the annual “pahalik” were Joanne Gongora and her partner, Pedro Silva.

For the past 30 years, the couple has prayed to the Black Nazarene for good health.

The 78-year-old Silva suffered a stroke in 2016. Although he can now walk with the aid of a cane, he still has trouble moving his left hand.

Gongora, however, is happy that her partner has survived a health crisis. Both believe that their prayers were granted because of their unwavering faith in “El Señor.”

“I was able to clamber on to the ‘andas’ and touch the image!” Gongora recalled. “Back in the days, the ‘traslacion’ was very solemn. During one procession, we were asked, ‘Kapatid, sasampa ka ba (Sister, are you going to climb the carriage)?’ I said yes and my fellow devotees lifted me up! They took care of me.”

Silva, on the other hand, said he used to join the procession until his stroke.

Over 400 law enforcers from the Manila Police District and National Capital Region Police Office have been deployed to secure the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand for the “pahalik.”