An estimated 12 million devotees and tourists joined the annual “traslacion” or the procession of the Black Nazarene. The event started earlier than expected when devotees stormed the Luneta Grandstand even if the mass hadn’t finished yet. It took 30 minutes to get the image of the Black Nazarene to the “andas” or carriage.
The annual Feast of the Black Nazarene commemorates the “translacion” or the moving of the image solemnly to the minor basilica.
Devotees are determined to touch, wipe and hold the image of the Black Nazarene because of their deep belief and devotion to the image and the belief that contact with this will bring good luck and blessings. Even if the devotees are used to crossing the old route, they followed the new, prescribed route in the end. Like most of the incidents in the past years, there were a number of incidents of suffocation, minor injuries, cuts and bruises–a far cry from what should be a solemn, holy event.
A sea of humanity pours into the streets of Manila, occupying the entire Quirino Grandstand; to see; to touch and to to give respect to the black image of the Savior carrying the cross – Black Nazarene who is celebrating his feast day on every 9th of January.
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Black Nazarene photos and story by Rave Garcia
Black Nazarine pics and story by Rave Garcia
Have you been to a Black Nazarene procession? How was your experience?
For those who haven’t, what do you think of this? Would you ever go to one?Â
