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.

On my Way to the Altar: A Sto.Niño de Tondo Visit

When ever I have a chance to visit Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish, I always make sure that I will walk my way to the altar, a replica of Sto. Nino de Cebu, which is located at the upper level of the said church where one can see the replica closer and make a wish!

It is just some few steps, but it’ll take you some minutes, depending on the number of visitors who like to knock on the altar behind the bars and make a wish for themselves and for their families.

They say that this Señor Sto. Niño answers one’s wishes, no wonder a lot of his devotees really took time in lining up and following the trail to the altar.

Here are some of the photos that I took on my way to the altar: