FOR some followers of the Black Nazarene willing to wait for hours in line to fulfill the “pahalik” tradition, sickness becomes a starting point of their lifelong devotion.
Devotees who queued on the first day of the “pahalik” at the Quirino Grandstand on Saturday, Jan. 6, told the Varsitarian how the Black Nazarene became instrumental to their healing from ailments.
“May bakal pa rin ako sa paa [pero] pumupunta kami [sa Nazareno at] humihiling kami sa kanya para gumaling ako,” devotee Russell Barlin said, whose devotion was influenced by his parents early on. “Kahit papaano, umayos naman ako. Naging normal ako maglakad, ‘di kagaya dati na may bakal ako, halos seven-inch ang pagitan ng paa.”
Another devotee, Lito Erocena, said he didn’t want to miss out on the “pahalik” to give gratitude to the Black Nazarene.
“Noong isang taon nakapunta ako [at] ngayon, nakapunta na naman, kaya nagpapasalamat [ako] kasi galing ako sa karamdaman [dahil] itong taon na ito (2023), nagpa-opera ako sa mata ko,” he said.
Even those just selling Black Nazarene t-shirts have been showered with blessings. Such was the case of Allyza Malinao, whose newborn child was on the brink of death.
“May sakit kasi sa puso ‘yong baby ko. Talagang himala ‘yon na wala na talaga siyang buhay tapos narinig na lang namin siyang umiyak,” she said. “Ayun ‘yong sigurong miracle na masasabi ko na galing sa Poong Nazareno.”
The Manila Police District said more than 40,000 devotees had flocked to Quirino Grandstand for the “pahalik” over the weekend.
Police Senior Master Sgt. Noli Pineda of the Ermita Police Station told the Varsitarian on Saturday that in just the first hour, more than 3,000 people waited along Roxas Boulevard to kiss the garment of the four-centuries-old image.
The “pahalik” ended at midnight on Jan. 9 to give way for the Misa Mayor led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.
The traditional Traslación, returning after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, began after the 4:30 a.m. solemn lauds or morning prayer. With reports from Ralent M. Penilla
