Where did the Black Nazarene get its dark color?

Every year, the Black Nazarene is brought out to the streets of Manila for the Traslacion.

The major Catholic event is where millions of devotees come for a chance to meet the Nazareno on its path.

But have you ever wondered why the kneeling, cross-bearing image of Christ is dark-skinned?

On Wednesday's "24 Oras," Vicky Morales explained that the relic was widely believed to have burned in a boat fire as it was being transported from Mexico to the Philippines.

But according to Msgr. Sabino Vengco, Jr. of the Loyola School of Theology, the Black Nazarene had actually been black from the very beginning.

Vengco explains that the image had been sculpted from mesquite wood, which is a dark-colored material akin to the local kamagong wood.

Watch the entire explanation here:

—Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News