Three devotees of the Black Nazarene share their stories of faith

 

Last January 9, millions of devotees joined the most-awaited Translacion. (Photo courtesy of YouscooperJiru Rada

The feast of the Black Nazarene is the largest procession in the country. It is also referred to as the “Traslacion,” where millions of barefoot men join the annual procession. Since the tradition happens only once in a year, devotees even pool their resources just to experience the miracle of the Black Nazarene.

Last January 9, the whole country again witnessed how 1.5 million people jostled to get a chance to come close to the carriage because they believed that touching or rubbing the statue with a towel would heal them physically and spiritually.

With these number of barefooted men who join the procession every year, there would always be the possibility of a stampede that would cause someone’s injury or worse -- death. But for devotees like Narda, Tatay Apolinario, and Mang Manuel sacrificing their lives in the procession is not even enough to thank the Nazarene for all the miracles that He has brought into their lives.

Narda and the hero that saves her

Narda Yson believes that the Black Nazarene saved her from seizure attacks.

Narda Yson, 31 years-old, has been joining the procession for 12 years now. Narda’s favorite heroine is Darna when she was a kid, but when she got older she realized that the real superhero of her life is Señor Hero, a replica of the Black Nazarene. She named the Nazarene as such because Narda believes that the Nazarene cured and saved her from seizure attacks.

She shared that her devotion was influenced by her parents who believed that the Nazarene brings a miracle to every Filipino who is struggling with sickness and poverty. “Minana ko pa sa mga magulang ko ‘yung pagiging deboto kasi epileptic ako. At dahil sa lakas ng paniniwala nila, ayun, awa ng Diyos, magaling na ako.”

There was not enough evidence stating that Narda is finally healed, but according to her, “Hindi ba ang epilepsy ay sakit na tipong mahirap gamutin? Pero, simula noong naging active ako sa prusisyon, naramdaman ko na hindi na ako sinusumpong.”

This year, news reported that two devotees died while others were hurt during the procession that took 20 hours. Translacion is supposed to be a peaceful and a religious event, however, most of the time the feast always turns into a risky activity with what the millions of people attending. And with Narda’s condition, seizures could attack him any time, but according to her, “Lagi namang kaakibat ng debosyon mo ‘yan e. Nandoon ‘yung mapapahamak ka pero ang nakakatuwa nakagabay pa rin sa’yo, ‘yung Nazareno.”

Sputnik gang member turned devotee

After several gang fights, Mang Manuel decided to change his life and that is for the Lord.

Mang Manuel Mantakot, 55 years-old has been a devotee since 1996. However, Mang Manuel used to be a hooligan, in fact, he was one of the members of an infamous gang called Sputnik. He was jailed in 1982 because of criminal acts such as murder and theft, but after he got out of jail, a sudden miracle occurred to him.

Mang Manuel shares, “Habang naglalakad ako, biglang may sumaksak sa akin, akala ko huli ko na ‘yun pero naisip kong tumawag sa [Panginoon], ilang araw lang nagulat ako at hanggang ngayon ay buhay.”

Mang Manuel said that, “Opo. Lahat. Aaminin ko sa’yo, naging kriminal po ako. Murder, theft, kasi naging miyembro ako ng Sputnik gang halos lahat ng nakasama nakulong. Nabaril na ako at nasaksak. Pero, naging mabait siya, ginabayan niya ako.” After what he had done in the past, Mang Manuel realized that it was the right time to finally thank the Lord for saving him.

So, in 1996, Mang Manuel started showing his gratitude to the Black Nazarene by joining the annual procession. He said that it was his way to show how thankful he is for giving him another chance to live, “Sa kabila ng ugali ko noong araw, binigyan niya pa rin ako ng mabuting asawa at mga anak. At sa awa ng Diyos, nakapagpatapos ko pa rin sila ng pag-aaral kahit na construction worker lamang ako.”

Mang Manuel admits that he is not getting any younger any more. He might not have enough strength to survive the procession, but he remained committed to his promise,“Kung naniniwala ka sa kaniya, hinding-hindi ka makakaramdam ng anumang takot.”

The oldest devotee of Nazareno

Despite old age, Tatay Apolinario still attends the annual religious tradition.

Apolinario Castelo Maranan, a 76-year-old, is known as the oldest devotee of the Black Nazarene. Most devotees of the statue call him “tatay,” some even kiss his hand as a gesture of respect. But, apart from being the oldest devotee, there is a deeper reason why people and even priests offer such respect to him.

Tatay Apolinario became a devotee when he was just a 12-year-old kid. He was on a bridge playing with his playmates when he saw the face of the Black Nazarene smiling at him. “Noong bata ako, naglalaro lang kami diyan sa lumang tulay. Hindi namin alam na doon pala dadaan ang Senior, kung hindi ka maniniwala, kitang-kita ko na nakangiti siya. At doon nag-umpisa ‘yung paghahangad ko na maging deboto.”

Despite old age, Tatay Apolinario still attends the annual procession. He may not be as strong as the young generation of devotees, Tatay Apolinario said that, “Wala namang problema basta talagang gusto mo. Basta kaya ng kaisipan mo at matibay ang pananampalataya mo, kakayanin mo.”

Tatay Apolinario offers all his life just to serve the Lord. Before the conversation ended, he shared his promise to the Black Nazarene, “Alam mo ba kahuli-hulian na ito, noong 1962 sumumpa na ako sa kaniya, simula noong namatay ang asawa ko noong 2005. Kinausap ko ang Mahal na Senyor, ang sabi ko sa kaniya, magpapakasal na ako sa kaniya. Buong buhay ko iaaalay ko na sa kaniya.” ---BMS/GMA Public Affairs

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