MANILA, Philippines – For devotees, the parade of the Black Nazarene is an act of sacrifice and faith. As the millions act out their devotion, the authorities carry on their own duty to ensure the safety of the crowd and of the iconic mage of Jesus Christ all through out the procession.
Jee Geronimo reports.
No delay can rain on the parade of Black Nazarene devotees. After 8 hours since it left the Quirino Grandstand, the centuries-old image of Jesus Christ finally crosses the Jones Bridge past 4 pm Friday.
Millions of Filipino faithful followed the carriage for hours, withstanding the constant push and shove required to get a closer look.
Before noon, officials already reported one dead and hundreds injured.
But unlike last year when devotees tried to divert the route of the procession, police say the Black Nazarene today crossed the Jones Bridge without any major setbacks.
SENIOR INSPECTOR ELMER GUTIERREZ, ESCOLTA OUTPOST COMMANDER: Sa obserbasyon namin, ok naman, maayos naman kasi nang makalagpas yung karosa walang reklamo. May mga naobserbahan kaming nasaktan. Siguro sa rami ng pulis na umalalay napangalagaan namin yung kaayusan. (Based on our observations, the procession was orderly. We saw some people were hurt. Perhaps because of the large number of policemen who helped, we were able to maintain peace.)
Just the mere sight of the image left many devotees in awe.
MERLENE GANGOSO, DEVOTEE: Matagal na ilang taon na rin kaming namamanata dito nasa 30 years na rin o mahigit pa… Ayos naman pakiramdam namin, talagang di kami pumapalya. Pumalya lang ako nung nag-abroad ako, yun lang, pero taon-taon naming ginagawa to, panata na namin simula nung buhay pa tatay namin, kami na lang nagpatuloy. (We’ve been devotees for more than 30 years. We haven’t missed a year. I only missed one year when I went abroad. But we do this annually, starting when our father was alive. We just continued his devotion.)
The Black Nazarene has a long way to go before it reaches its final destination, but the journey ahead is nothing for Filipinos known for their extraordinary faith.
Jee Geronimo, Rappler, Manila. – Rappler.com
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