Feast of the Black Nazarene 2014: To God be the Glory

I won't deny the fact that for the past years that I've been witnessing and writing about the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, I mostly discuss the things that could make anyone's heart heavy, disappointed and afraid. The way this feast is celebrated is truly different and quite dangerous, and if you are not that serious and brave enough, fear more. But since I feel that I'm in this "Moving On" stage, I wanna start my year on a positive note, hence I will just share the things that made me feel how big God's love to me.

First, my new boss allowed me to take a time off from work to be here in Quiapo for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. I'm honestly not expecting him to allow me, but I'm really, really glad that he let me go. This is one of the many festivals in the country that is so important to me, and I'm glad that I witnessed it again.

Second, I was at the right time and at the right moment when I saw the replica. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time that the procession will be taking Escolta Street, and with its rich and colorful history just like the replica of the Black Nazarene, this is one great moment that I don't want to miss.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013: The The Love, The Devotion and the Cosplay

If the celebration last year left we with questions as to how come the number of devotees of the Black Nazarene keeps growing and do all of these devotees really know what they are doing, I guess this year, as I brave myself again in facing the challenges of capturing some bits and pieces of one of the most celebrated feast in the country, the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2013 leave with simple joy and amazement as to how miraculously every thing goes in its right place.

Compared to last year, this year's procession took a little less shorter. From the longest 22-hour procession, this year, the procession only lasted for 18 hours, so by 1:30 in the morning of January 10, the replica of the Black Nazarene was finally back, safe and sound, to its place inside the Basilica of the the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

Having a family who's a devotee of the said patron, it s a tradition for us to visit the church  see the procession even if we all hail from the neighboring district, Tondo. It was my father who's very active to this kind of stuff back then, so don't ask me to whom I get the habit. But then again, more than a habit, seeing and praying on to the Nazarene on this festive day is actually an eye-opener.

Feast of Black Nazarene 2012 - Why, oh, why?

Once again, the avenues of Manila City was flooded the colors maroon and golden yellow as the country celebrates the 2012 Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Attending this year's celebration feel so different for a devotee like me, because the man who encouraged and thought me things about this tradition is already gone. It's kinda painful to see the church and the people, but we have to move on, I have to move on, just like the procession of the Black Nazarene, which is attended by millions of devotees every year.

Today, I attended the 10:30 a.m. mass. By this time, the Basilica of the Black Nazarene is already full of devotees from the different parts of the world. And as if I have any other choice, I pushed myself in just to get inside and see the altar. As expected, it was grand and looks so mystical.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2011

mThe most celebrated feast in Manila once again proved to the whole world how we, Filipinos, give importance to our faith - to our religion.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene was attended by millions of devotees from the different parts of the country, making it the most attended and most awaited celebration every start of the year.