The goal of each devotee is to touch the holy image of the Black Nazarene as it is paraded in the streets of Manila downtown. Very few were able to do so, as only the most intrepid and most acrobatic can climb the carossa surrounded by the hundreds of thousands of the faithfuls. It came as no surprise that quite a number of devotees sustained injuries, and in the past processions, a few have also been killed in stampede.
Most devotees are contented just by throwing their towels or shirts to the Black Nazarene, so that it could touch the miraculous statue. This despite the fact that the Black Christ being paraded is only a replica of the original statue being kept and highly guarded inside the Minor Basilica of Quiapo. The original is an antique 400-year old statue made of brittle wood that may not survive the ordeal of a whole day procession. Yet, to the devotees, it did not matter. They adored the Senyor Nazareno, replica or genuine, and here they were, summoning their ultimate strength to touch the suffering Christ.
It was, indeed, a game of survival of the fittest. And I was a survivor*.
*My cellphone did not survive, though. As I was following the procession, my cellphone got snatched from my pocket. I did not even feel it. I just realized I no longer had it after the procession. Afterwards, I tried contacting it, and the picpocket even had the guts to reply: "finders keepers".
20 comments:
That's too bad about your cp, dennis. AND the nerve of him/her to say, finders keepers! grrrrrr!
Did the parade ever moved at all?
Yes, it did, Nance. The parade was a whole day affair hehehe
These are really great photos, Dennis! I always wanted to watch the event in person, but I'm afraid of getting trampled. :)
I'm sorry about your cellphone, I guess that's something than can definitely happen with all the siksikan going on... On the bright side at least you survived it without a scratch. ;)
What a procession. My goodness. These photos are so rich in color and life. What faith!
I stared long and hard hoping to find anyone familiar in the crowd. Wala pala akong friend na devotee. :)
I knew it! You'll be there sa procession and taking pictures. Good to know you're okay. Kundi, we won't be seeing photos like these again.
Hayaan mo na yung cellphone. Replaceable naman yun. Pero lesson learned. haha.
You are gutsy injecting yourself in that kind of a crowd with your camera, cellphone and I don't know what else you had with you. At least you did not get hurt and you got the pictures you were after.
Walang-hiya talaga yung nandukot sa iyo,nanuya pa. What a jerk!
Kamukha ni Noli de Castro yung isang deboto diyan sa first photograph...
muntik nga akong pumunta doon para ma experience kaya lang nakita ko na makulimlim ang panahon kaya hndi na ako tumuloy. galing ng mga kuha dennis. salamat sa mga kuhang ito at nawala pa yung cellphone mo. coordinate ka sa police kasi may nakita ako sa tv na maraming nahuling magnanakaw na marami ding cellphone na retrieve.
ohmygosh! how brave you are! i saw it in the news last night...the crowd barely moving, and those who fainted were hauled to waiting ambulances. great shots, Dennis! sorry about your celphone though.
Hello frnd.. how r u??? i have added you to my blogroll.. Hop u too will add me... tak care mate!!!
Wow, so many people. And why is the carossa loaded with people that it's hard to see the Black Nazarene?
Finders keepers? And, the keeper, was at a religious procession supposedly to ask for a miracle. The "miracle" was ill gotten.
Thank you everyone, for dropping by! I always appreciate your comments!
Nakaya mo yun? grabe? you are indeed a survivor and you even managed to get those clear shots despite the crowd and all the movements.......
that was such a feat. init pa kamo----
then again---I am sorry about your camera. despite the religious pitch of the celebration, there are still a lot of bad elements around. He will have his own punishment.
Pusang Gala: It was indeed very hard to get near the Black Nazarene, but thankfully, the lord guided me and I was able to touch my shirt to Him.
The cellphone didn't matter, actually. I could live without one ;)
moment, tawa muna ako ha?
sorry, natuwa ako sa last sentence mo, talaga..........finders keepers!!!!
nakita ko ang mga pics mo dito, sabi ko, grabe ang devote nla.
hanggang sabi mo, snatched ang cf mo na hindi mo alam....tuwa ako sa sabi mo uy.....lol
thanks again.
sorry, tawa talaga ako dito, sa mga comments rin...
hehehe thanks tita vicki!
wow... nageenglish ang pickpocket in fairness. hehe. oh well, God bless him/her na lang. :) The faith of the people that go to this even every year is really just overwhelming.
Cza: thanks Cza ;)
I missed you in the crowd... :-( but that is not really a surprise... ;-)
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