Rep. SV Verzosa climbs andas during Black Nazarene feast celebration

MANILA, Philippines — This year marks the 15th anniversary of Rep. Sam “SV” Verzosa as a devotee of the Black Nazarene. 

Verzosa was one with the 6.5 million devotees for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. As part of his vow and devotion to the Black Nazarene, Verzosa walked barefoot throughout the procession in the streets of Manila. 

In the video posted, it shows the sea of devotees surrounding the “andas” and the precarious situation of Verzosa as he jostles through thousands of people to get near the carriage. Despite the extreme resistance and struggles, Verzosa is seen climbing the “andas” and touching the cross of the Black Nazarene for his prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord even for just a few seconds.

“Sobrang saya makasampa muli at makapagdasal sa Krus ng Itim na Nazareno. Ilang beses ako nahulog, nahila at nahawi at yung pakiramdam na ubos na yung lakas mo at hindi kana makahinga sa pagka-ipit sa dami ng tao. Pero paglapit sa andas, binuhos ko yung natitirang lakas ko para makasampa at makapagpasalamat sa Poon kahit ilang segundo lamang,” Verzosa said.  

@samverzosaofficial Masaya dn ako at Nakasalang din kami sa lubid at nakapagdasal kahit sobrang hirap nitong mahawakan para mabalikat at pag ingatan ang aming pwesto sa dami ng humihila at gustong makapasok dito.. sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam na makapagdasal habang nasa balikat mo ang lubid sa gitna ng hirap ng pagka ipit at makakonekta kay Mahal na Nazareno at magtamo ng kagalingan, kaginhawahan at pinaka mahalaga ay ang magpasalamat sa mga dasal na tinupad nya at mga biyayang binigay at ibibigay pa nya. Simbolo din ang pagpasan ng lubid sa balikat sa pagsama sa paghihirap ni Kristo sa kanyang pagpasan sa krus. Nagyong taon 2024 napatid ang isang lubid at isa lamang ang natira kaya mas mahirap sumalang ngayong taon.. etong lubid nato dn ang representasyon ng hamon para maayos naming maihahatid na mga namamasan pauwi ang Senyor Nazareno sa Simbahan ng Quiapo. Espesyal dn ang taon nato dahil bukod sa eto ang aking pang labing limang(15) taong Annibersaryo na pamamanata eh may isang pamilya din kaming tinulungan at sinagot ang kanilang mga dasal. Naging Instrumento tyo ng Mahal na Nazareno para makatulong at tumupad ng kanilang mga dasal at kahilingan.. Papuri lahat sa Diyos 💫🙏🏼 Napaka dami na talagang Milagrong ginawa saking buhay ang Mahal na Poong Nazareno at patuloy padin nya ako pinagpapala at binibiyayaan ng grasya. Kaya ako naman ngayon ang nagbabalik sa aking kapwa ng lahat ng kanyang biyayang bingay sakin.. lahat ng eto ay dahil sa aking matinding debosyon at paniniwala kay Jesus Nazareno 🙏🏼 VIVA Padre Jesus Nazareno 💫 VIVA!!! #Nazareno #Traslacion2024 #SV #BatangSampaloc #BatangMaynila ♬ original sound – Sam Verzosa

(Overwhelming joy to climb again and offer prayers at the Cross of the Black Nazarene. I fell multiple times, was pulled and pushed, feeling completely drained and breathless amid the crowd. But nearing the carriage, I summoned my remaining strength to ascend and express gratitude to the Deity, even if just for a few seconds.)

Verzosa grew up in the streets of Sampaloc, and is fondly called “Batang Sampaloc” in his hometown. The Feast of the Black Nazarene was not new to him as it is widely celebrated throughout the City of Manila every year. 

It was in 2009, when he first became a devotee of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno because his prayers and dreams were miraculously answered and granted to him. One of his biggest influences for his unwavering faith for the Lord was his late father, Samuel Verzosa Sr. 

“Nung bata pa kami, palaging turo ng tatay ko sa amin na huwag na huwag makalimot sa Diyos, maging mabuting tao at tumulong sa kapwa. Nagsisimula pa lang ako sa buhay at sa negosyo noong 2009 nang una akong namanata at nanalig sa Poong Nazareno na sana matupad lahat ng aking dasal at pinapangarap sa buhay. Lahat ng dinasal ko ay binigay ni Nazareno at paglipas ng 15 na taon, sobra sobrang biyaya ang ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa amin kaya naman patuloy akong nagpapasalamat sa Kanya at binabalik ko sa tao ang mga biyayang pinagkaloob sakin,” says Verzosa.

(When we were young, our father always emphasized to us the importance of never forgetting God, being a good person, and helping others. I started my life and business in 2009, and it was then that I made my first vow and placed my trust in the Black Nazarene, hoping that all my prayers and dreams in life would be fulfilled. Nazarene granted every prayer I made, and after 15 years, God has bestowed us with abundant blessings. I continue to express my gratitude to Him, returning the blessings to others.)

Joining Verzosa at the Traslacion is Jayson, a 27-year-old construction worker from Payatas, Quezon City, and his wife and three kids. Jayson is a first-time devotee of the Black Nazarene and his prayer is centered on the healing of his child diagnosed with hydrocephalus.

The story of Jayson will be featured in Verzosa’s public service show’ Dear SV on GMA 7 this January. It will show how Verzosa became the instrument of the Black Nazarene to strengthen the faith of Jayson and to make his prayers and wishes for his family come true.