YouScoopers capture Nazareno procession

Drawing millions of devotees annually, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is considered one of the biggest religious events in the Philippines, if not the world.

This year, the feast lived up to that description once more. With an estimated 10 million people in attendance, the 19-hour procession highlighted many Filipinos' intense devotion to the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. 

YouScoop’s citizen journalists captured scenes from this year’s Black Nazarene feast from the start of the Traslacion at the Quirino Grandstand all the way to Quiapo’s Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene -- a distance of roughly 6.5 kilometers.

University of the Philippines journalism student Beata Carolino went to the Quirino Grandstand to cover a Mass that was celebrated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

The Mass had not ended yet when some devotees stormed their way through what Carolino called the “dead zone” or the barricades separating the crowd from Black Nazarene.

“Nagulat pa rin talaga ako sa dami at intensity ng mga deboto. Very overwhelming makakita ng ganoong volume ng mga tao. Ibang klase ang debosyon nila,” Carolino said.



The mass was cut short by the commotion and the Traslacion was soon off to a slow start.

The procession reached the National Museum at around 11 a.m.

YouScooper Jiru Rada witnessed the carriage being dragged by devotees as others tried to touch it. Rada noticed that three to five female devotees were trying to climb up the carriage at any given moment. Some male devotees and members of Hijos del Nazareno assisted them.



For most families, the devotion to the Black Nazarene is a continuing tradition. A lot of devotees brought their kids to take part in the procession despite the risks. YouScooper Andrew Pamorada captured a photo of children participating in the event.



The route for this year’s procession diverged slightly from those in the past.

Citing safety concerns, authorities decided to use the Jones Bridge instead of the MacArthur Bridge, which is scheduled for repairs. Authorities placed container vans along MacArthur Bridge to prevent people from diverting the procession there.

However, some devotees moved the container vans out of the way in an attempt to follow the traditional route through the MacArthur Bridge.  

YouScooper Alecsandra Ongcal was stationed on top of one of the container vans on Padre Burgos Avenue when some devotees tried to move a container van out of the way.

The group managed to move it aside. They even cheered “Viva! Viva! Viva!” in unison when they did.

The procession eventually followed the designated route and passed through Jones Bridge. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Red Cross, as seen in a photo by Pamorada, were on standby at the Pasig River as the procession went on its way.



The procession crossed the Jones Bridge by late afternoon.

YouScooper Kim Janeya Tan, who was at her condominium unit, spotted the swelling crowd on Escolta Street. “Parami nang parami ang mga tao. It was intense. Meron pa akong nakitang isang dinala sa ambulance,” Tan said.



This year, the Philippine Red Cross assisted 854 devotees, 12 of whom were brought to hospitals.

YouScooper Sheila Bandola spent the feast day in and around Quiapo. Bandola spotted residents handing out free food as thanksgiving for a blessed year. Some even gave money away. 

@YouScoop may-ari ng isang establishment namimigay ng pera mula sa balkunahe.. pic.twitter.com/63k8uU8MKx

— Sheila Bandola (@maila_11) January 9, 2014

Meanwhile, traders took advantage of the presence of a huge crowd to sell shirts with the image of the Black Nazarene and other merchandise. Pamorada spotted a vendor selling Nazarene-themed shirts.



YouScooper Rave Garcia stationed himself at Plaza Miranda to witness the carriage reach its destination -- the Quiapo church.

This was the culmination of his 22-hour coverage, which started at the Quirino Grandstand. Throughout those hours, the devotion of the people never failed to amaze him.

“Sa aking paglilibot, karamihan sa mga deboto ay nagpapasalamat sa Poong Nazareno… Isa iyong patunay na mapagmahal tayo sa ating Diyos. Para sa akin, ang undying devotion ng mga deboto ang nakakamangha. They come from all walks of life, yet they are united in one faith,” Garcia said.




The Black Nazarene procession reached its destination by 1:57 a.m., 19 hours after the Traslacion started. -- EPE/JDS, GMA News