Devotees try to touch the statue of the Black Nazarene during the annual religious procession in Manila on January 9, 2014. Hundreds of thousands of barefoot devotees poured into the capital for one of the world’s biggest Catholic parades honouring an ebony statue of Jesus Christ they believe has miraculous powers. AFP
MANILA, Philippines – Faith and devotion chooses no age or gender as people commemorated the feast of the Black Nazarene Thursday.
Jun jun Abrera, 26, brought his two-year-old baby boy Rominic to the procession, saying that he wanted his son to become a devotee when he grows up.
Asked whether he was worried that they might be pinned in the huge crowd, Abrera said, “we are used to it.”
He said that the Nazarene granted his wish to heal his son who was previously suffering from fever.
“[I bring him along] to become a devotee as well,” Abrera said.
Rudolfo Delfin, 64, said that he has been a devotee since he was 10 years old.
Back then he and the other kids were with the image of the Nazarene and they formed a line with their hands wrapped around the waist of the other kid in front.
Now fully grown up, he said that he was among those holding the rope of the Andas of the Nazarene.
“Now that I’m 64, I just join in the procession,” he said.
Delfin said that he can’t help but notice some of the younger batch who joined the procession who seemed to be wondering what they are really doing.
“Some of the children who join the procession have no idea what they are doing. But there are still some groups of young people who are always joining as devotees,” he said.
Employed as a laborer with the Manila city engineer’s office, Delfin joined the procession alone because he is still a bachelor.
He said that he was wishing that the Nazarene would grant him a longer and healthy life.
Asked how long he will still join in the annual feast, Delfin simply said: “Hangga’t kaya (as long as I can).”
Pelisa Enmarfel, 77, said that she has been joining the annual feast for six years.
Bragging she is still strong, Enmarfel said she walked for several kilometers just to see the Nazarene.
“Malakas pa rin (still strong). I walked from Binondo to Quirino Grandstand and now back again,” she said.
“I just wait for the Nazarene to pass and then I go to Quiapo Church for mass,” she said.
Enmarfel said her wish is for a better life for her six children. She said they are poor.
She strived on her own to raise her six children after her husband left her and their children.
“Ang ginawa ko, nagtulak ako ng kariton, sa Quiapo, Sampaloc, Divisoria,” she said.
Her children are now grown up and with their own work and family.
She said she wishes for the Nazarene to give her a longer life. She thanked the Nazarene for alleviating their plight.
“Hindi naman niya kami pinabayaan (He did not abandon us),” she said.
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