Boholanos climb mountain to show devotion to Black Nazarene

Devotees walked more than 3 kilometers to reach the summit of “Bohol Calvary” in Garcia Hernandez, Bohol province, to attend the feast of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Here pilgrims and devotees attended a healing session conducted by visionary Marina Reblinca. (Photo by LEO UDTOHAN / Inquirer Visayas)

GARCIA HERNANDEZ, Bohol — Devotion to the Black Nazarene is not only confined to those who flock to Quiapo in Manila every Jan. 9.

Hundreds of pilgrims and devotees in Bohol province climbed the mountain in this town to ask to be healed and give thanks on the feast of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday.

Rosalinda Huertas, 66, walked at least 3 km to visit the chapel and offer prayers.

Huertas, who suffered from pneumonia last week, believed that the Black Nazarene played a big role in healing her sickness.

Edward Guyano, 43, was also emotional when he visited the place.

He visited the mountain two years ago before he had a stroke last year.

Guyano said the Black Nazarene had never failed to answer his prayers.

It was on May 29, 2011 when Marina Reblinca, a visionary and healer, brought the image of the Black Nazarene from Palawan to Bohol Calvary (originally named Mount Kalagan) in Barangay Malinao, Garcia Hernandez town and established a small chapel funded by devotees.

Reblinca said the Nazarene told her he wanted to be in Bohol Calvary.

“I followed his order, then people flocked here,” Reblinca said.

She also said that the Black Nazarene protected the place during the strong earthquake in 2013 and typhoons.

Since then, devotees consider the mountain, with its serene silence, holy.

On Tuesday, hundreds of devotees attended the Mass. Since it was fiesta, they were treated to a sumptuous lunch.

After the lunch, devotees waited for the “patunob,” wherein the image of the Black Nazarene was placed on the parts of the body for healing.

Huertas patiently waited for her turn.

“Mutuo jud kay milgaroso mani kay yearly ni kada simba diri naa man gud magpatunob ani magpasalamat naay kaayuhan sa sakit. Magpasalamat,” she said.

[I believe the Black Nazarene is miraculous. Every year there is patunob for healing and thanksgiving.]

When Reblinca placed the little statue of the Black Nazarene at the devotees’ heads, shoulders and hands, the devotees prayed and kissed the image praying for healing and miracles.

She would give flowers she blessed for healing and success in business.

“Kinahanglan maniwala jud sa Poong Nazareno. Kay gamhanan mana siya, kay Ginoo gud na siya. Tanang problema tabangan ta bisan muhilam sa iyang sinena, muhilam sa iyang kamut tanang sakit nimo mawala. Basta mutuo ka naa sa imo na kung mutuo ka. Hugot imong pagtoo mamaayo jud ka maskin cancer pa imong sakit,” she said.

[We should have faith in Him because He is powerful. He is God. Even just touching his dress and hands, he will help you in all your problems. Just have strong faith in him, even cancers will be cured.]

For Huertas and Guyano, they admitted that climbing Bohol Calvary was like embarking on a spiritual journey.

“Going there has nourished my soul,” Guyano said. “It deepens my faith to a Supreme Being and nature.” Huertas said that reaching Bohol Calvary can help make one have a better perspective of life.

At the crest of the mountain, visitors also visited a “wishing cave” to purify themselves and wish for prosperity and abundance.

There was also a cave of faith healers, known as a sacred place and some old boat coffins carefully protected by local residents.

Visitors also felt mystery of the huge stone shaped like a boat. /atm