Feast of Jesus Nazareno brings Filipino families closer

The family of Jojo and Cheche Suyat gathers for the ‘Pahalik’ on Wednesday, January 8, 2024. Bringing food and blanket, they treat the Holy Feast as their family bonding. (Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Feast of Jesus Nazareno does not only gather millions of Filipino devotees together; it also strengthens family ties. 

Coming from Cavite, the family of married couple Jojo and Cheche Suyat brought food and blankets and stayed overnight at the Quirino Grandstand to queue and participate in the ‘Pahalik’ or the touching and kissing of the image of Jesus Nazareno.

The couple said that their devotion to Jesus Nazareno is a testament to the spiritual bond that was formed for their family. 

“Spiritually, naipapaliwanag sa mga anak yung pagiging madasalin, palasimba at pagiging malapit sa Panginoon. ‘Yun po ang gabay nila,” said Cheche, a Nazareno devotee for 12 years.

(Spiritually, we get to show our children how to be faithful and close to God. That is their guide.)

The Suyat matriarch added that aside from the Christmas season, they look forward to celebrating the Feat of the Nazareno.

As a mother of four kids, Cheche shared that they continuously explain to their children the essence of their annual tradition.

For Jojo, being a devotee also helps protect the sanctity of their marriage.

“Put God first and family. Kaya siguro sa pagsasama namin, walang tuksong nangyayari. Walang nagiging problema dahil din siguro sa panata,” the Suyat patriarch pointed out.

(Put God first and family. I believe that this devotion keeps us away from temptation. We do not encounter problems.)

The couple also shared that their family experiences financial struggles, but they always overcome them. 

“Kinakapos man financially pero pinoprovide Niya yung kalakasan namin palagi. Magkaroon man ng sakit pero survived naman agad,” Cheche added. 

(We may sometimes be short financially, but He always provides good health and strength for us. We may be sick but we survive.)

The ‘Pahalik’ began at 8:05 p.m. on Monday, January 6, at the Quirino Grandstand.

The activity will last until the Traslacion, or the procession of the Jesus Nazareno image, on Thursday.