Disability, illness fail to dampen devotees’ faith on last day of ‘Pagpupugay’

Seeking divine healing, disability and illness did not hinder the faith of some devotees of the Jesus Nazareno as they endured long lines on the last day of “Pagpupugay”.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report in 24 Oras on Wednesday, over 20,000 devotees flocked to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila to touch the image of the Jesus Christ before it is transported to Quiapo Church on Thursday for the traditional “Traslacion”, or procession of the image.

Among those who lined up to the image were Jason and Noemi Asuncion, who brought with them their son who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

“Para po sa bata, maging healthy po sa pangangatawan namin,” said Jason, as he carried his son on his back.

(I’m doing this for my son and for all of us to have good health.)

For Noemi, they have offered 10 years of devotion to Jesus Nazareno for their family’s good health.

“Sa totoo lang, nakakagaan ng kalooban namin na nagsasakripisyo kami at least once year para din sa health ng mga bata,” she said.

(To be honest, it warms our hearts that we sacrifice at least once a year for the health of our children.)

Meanwhile, Carmelita Lugmao is praying for long life as she takes care of her son with Down Syndrome.

“Ang hinihiling ko bigyan pa ako ng lakas kasi may anak akong special child. Kaya ngayon, kada taon, lagi kaming nandidito,” she said.

(I’m praying to have a longer life because I have a son who is a special child. It’s been our tradition to always be here.)

Unlike other devotees, young boy Axl Jade was the one accompanying his grandfather who was paralyzed by a stroke.

“Salamat sa Panginoon nakapunta po ako dito….Sana mapagaling niya si lolo,” he said.

(Thank God that we were able to make it here…I pray He can heal my grandfather.)

While some seek healing, stroke survivor Danilo Pamintuan is asking forgiveness for his sins.

“Marami akong pagkakasala, unang-una lahat-lahat ng pagkakasala…lahat nagawa ko, magnakaw, lahat,” he said.

(I’ve committed so many sins, I actually did every wrong thing…I even stole in the past.)

Despite his past and the troubles he caused to his family, his wife still accompanied him to Quirino Grandstand.

“Nanghihingi ako ng tawad sa kanya. Salamat, binigyan niya pa ako ng pagkakataon mabuhay,” Pamintuan added.

(I’m asking forgiveness from Him. Thank God that He still gave me another chance to live.)

Other devotees will spend the night in Quirino Grandstand to join the procession on Thursday, during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

A devotee's participation in the Feast of Jesus (Hesus) Nazareno may be an outward manifestation of how intense his needs are, psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa earlier told GMA News Online.

Devotion to the Jesus Nazareno may be linked to history, as religion and practices such as the feast were hand-me-downs by Filipino forebears, Dellosa added. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News