CATHOLIC devotees rejoiced at this year’s observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene as the traditional Traslacion, or the grand procession of the image the Black Nazarene, returned after it was suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Traslacion 2024 made history as the fastest procession of the Black Nazarene image, lasting only for 14 hours and 59 minutes. This surpassed the Traslacion held in 2020, the last procession before the pandemic hit, which ended after 16 hours.
Many devotees took to the streets as the Traslacion returned, with more than 6.5 million devotees taking part in it, according to the Quiapo Church Command Post.
Among those who participated in the procession are celebrities McCoy de Leon and Kiray Celis.
Traslacion experience
On Instagram, De Leon shared a clip of him swarming in a sea of devotees to get near the image of the Black Nazarene. Devotees believe that touching the supposedly miraculous figure will bring them or their families blessings.
“’Nasaan na siya (Poong Nazareno)?’ Yan ang linya lagi para makita mo siya at nung oras na nakita ko siya’t mahawakan ulit matapos ng maraming taon, wala ako masabi kundi ‘Salamat Poong Nazareno,’” he wrote in the caption.
He continued, “Tanging nasa isip ko lang nung kaharap ko siya ang mga mahal ko sa buhay at ang pamilya ko.”
The “Batang Quiapo” star is one of the young individuals who were influenced by their parents to start their devotion to the Black Nazarene. It was De Leon’s father who introduced him to his devotion practice.
The Kapamilya actor also shared a video of him and his daughter Felize cheering “Viva” as he waved his hand towel. There was also a photo of them together that showed De Leon’s feet covered in dirt.
Meanwhile, Celis participated in the procession with her boyfriend Stephan Estopia.
In an Instagram post, the actress shared photos of them together wearing similar hoodies that bore the image of the Black Nazarene in front and the name “Estopia” in the back.
“‘Find someone who is willing to learn, hustle, pray and grow with you.’ At nahanap ko na nga!” said the 28-year-old actress.
“Kapag parehas talaga kayong nangangarap, sabay na nagdadasal at parehas na nagtutulungan.. walang imposible! Viva, Poong Jesus Nazareno!” she added.
Message to fellow devotees
Before the religious procession commenced, Coco Martin shared a message to his fellow devotees when he joined this year’s observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand on January 9.
Martin has been a devotee since he was a child. His devotion was influenced by his grandmother.
During his speech, the “Batang Quiapo” protagonist told his fellow devotees to keep pursuing their dreams and remain faithful to the Lord.
“Sa lahat ng mga tao at sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, isa lang, ‘wag kayong mapapagod at magsasawang mangarap. Sa pagdarasal natin, sa pananalig natin sa ating mga panginoon—sa ating Panginoong Diyos, sa ating Ama, sa ating Mahal na Birhen—lagi niya tayong naririnig at hinding-hindi niya tayo bibiguin,” said Martin.
“Nasa atin ‘yon bilang tao, bilang Pilipino kung paano natin ipaglalaban, paninindigan yung ating mga pangarap,” he added.
He also shared on Instagram several photos of him touching the Black Nazarene image.
“Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat sa iyo, Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno,” he said in one of his posts.
Martin and the “Batang Quiapo” team also marked their first anniversary. It can be recalled that the action-drama series began filming during the Feast of the Black Nazarene in 2023.
Attended a Mass
OPM singer Angeline Quinto kept her practice of going to Quiapo every year for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
This year, she attended a thanksgiving Mass at the Quiapo Church after her taping on Tuesday, according to a report by ABS-CBN. She was with her non-showbiz fiancé Nonrev Daquina.
She also shared a few photos and videos of her attending the Mass, through a series of Instagram stories.
In one video, Quinto was seen raising her hands as she awaited to get sprinkled with holy water.
The Filipina singer started her devotion since she was a child and because of the influence of her adoptive mother, Mama Bob.
ABS-CBN reported that Quinto also plans to introduce her devotion to her son Sylvio.
