Tama siguro ang sinabi ni Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle na para maintindihan, kailangan magiging ‘devotee’ ka ng Nazareno.
Ang prosisyun kahapon ay ang pinakamahaba sa buong kasaysayan ng Itim na Nazareno sa Quiapo. Biruin mo, nagsimula ng mga alas-otso ng umaga ng Lunes, Enero 9 sa Luneta pagkatapos ng misa at dumating sa Quiapo church alas-sais ng umaga ng Enero 10.
Maigsi lang ang distansya na yan. Kung lalakarin mo yan (palagi naming nilalakad ang ruta nay an nang nagra-rali kami ng panahon ni Marcos), hindi ka siguro aabutin ng isang oras.
Mga walong milyon daw ang dumalo sa prosesyun at katulad ng nangyari taon-taon, marami na naman ang nasaktan.
Ito ay sa gitna ng babala ni Pangulong Aquino mismo na may banta ang mga terorista na maghasik ng lagim habang hagang nagpu-prosisyun. Mabuti naman at walang nangyari. Alerto ang buong kapulisan at mga sangay ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa seguridad.
May mga oras pa nga na pinatay ng mga cellphone companies ang signal dahil karaniwan kasi ngayon, cellphone ang ginagawa para magpasabog ng bomba.
Sinabi ng mga na-interbyu na mga devotee na panata daw nila ang sumali sa prosisyun at mahawakan ang Poong Nazareno. Ang iba ay nagpapasalamat sa binigay na biyaya ng Panginoon at ang iba naman ay may hinihiling katulad ng pagpapagaling ng mga kamag-anak na may malalang sakit.
Ang hirap lang, sa tindi ng kanilang panata at panganga-ilangan, nakakalimutan na nila ang kabutihan sa kapwa tao. Nakikita natin kung paano magsiksikan, at nagtatapakan para lang makalapit. Ang iba nga na nasaktan, natapakan nang sila ay natumba.
Sinabi na rin yan ni Archbishop Tagle sa kanyang sermon na hindi maka-Kristyano ang gagawa ka ng ikakaksakit ng kapwa tao para lang makamtan mo ang iyong gusto. Ngunit wala ring nangyari, kanya-kanya rin ang nangyari.
Sabi nga ng entertainment writer na si Isah Red sa Facebook, ang nakita natin kahapon ay hindi debosyon fanaticism. “What you saw on the news tonight on the Nazarene procession is not devotion but fanaticism. I admire the strength of faith the people have on the Nazarene, but it is focused only on the image, not on the thing it represents, as an icon of Catholicism. This is no different from the Filipinos’ devotion to the Holy Child. Do they understand that the Nazarene and the Holy Child are one and the same Jesus Christ?”
Sana hindi lang sa pista ng Black Nazarene ang ating panata sa Panginoon. Sana kasama yan sa araw-araw nating pamumuhay.
Ang takot lang ng mga may balak gumawa ng di maganda. Kukuyugan lang sila ng milyung-milyung deboto. 😛 Ang mga terorista dito sa atin takot mamatay. Di katulad ng mga teroristang tiga gitnang silangan handang mamatay. 😛
Pabor ako na pinutol ang serbisyo ng cellphones, o di natakot ang mga terorista na madaganan ng laksa-laksang deboto.
Ibang klase mga deboto at panatiko ng Itim na Nazareno, mga fearless sila at kahit mga bomba ay di sila kayang pa-stay sa bahay. May mga lumilipad pa nga sa ere matapos na makahalik sa Mahal na Poon. Kaya ba ng mga terorista yan?! 🙂
Nakakapangilabot ang procession ng milyun-milyung deboto, wala silang alintana na may mangyayari. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ang psyche nila pero sino ba ako para mag-kwestyon.
Kung ang sea of people na nakipag-procession ay batayan ng poverty sa Pinas (ayon sa naglalabasang analyses), huwag din nating isantabi na ang faith, real or blind, ay syang una at huling sandalan ng tao sa pisikal, emotional at spiritual na pangangailangan. Nagkakaiba lang marahil sa level of consciousness ang pag-appreciate ng faith o belief.
Ang Nazareno ay simbulo ng pagkaka-ISA, sa isang malalim-matindi na pag-hangga sa Panginoong JESU CHRISTO, dahil sa mga grasya, mga “miracles” na naka-kamtan ng bawat isang may paghangga, at nabighani niya sa isang tunay na Pagmamahal-“LOVE” , sa Diyos ( very strong Faith ), at sa kapwa Taong mamamayan. Ang prosesyon na nangyari na halos 22-oras, na sa loob ng 1-oras na lalakarin lamang noon, ay simbulo na din ng, pakikiramay o maranasan ng bawat diboto, ang “sufferings”-paghihirap niya sa pag-pasan ng krus, noong almost 2000-years ago…Kung nasaktan man sila-mga tao, siguro, malayong di hamak, sa mga sakit-parusa na naranasan ni NAZARENO sa kamay ng mga Hudyong sundalo !..at sa pag-pako sa kanya sa Krus,para mamatay, at ipagbunyi ng mga hudyo, na di siya anak ng Diyos Ama..Para sa akin iyon ay hindi “fanaticism”, kundi ang “dumamay sa mga hirap” na tiniis ng anak ng Diyos..(( Kung natakot o nag-banta man ang terorismo, isang malaking, “miracle” din ang nangyari,..siguro, tina-maan sila ng pag-Katakot, sa Imahin,at sa halos lagpas 8-milyon na diboto !..at Tama-o-pabor din ako sa pag-jam sa cellphone, na lagi na lamang, nagagamit ng mga terorismo, mga di makatao-balukto’t na Isipan at paniniwala, dahil wala silang, LOVE, sa bawat isa, na itinuro ni NAZARENO ))..
Ang pambansang Kamao, sa tuwing lalaban sa ibang bansa, at sa pag-uwi, unang priority niya ang Misa sa Quiapo, ng pasasalamat….Ako din ng nagtuturo noon,at isang quality engr. sa isang kompanya,dahil sa mga hirap ng buhay, araw-araw, kahit naka-“uniporme”, ay nagluluhod mula, pintuan, hanggan sa maka-halik ng kanyang mga paa, na mabango. Naranasan ko din ang mga biyaya na ipinag-kaloob niya sakin, sa 3-buwan pa lamang ng, pagbigay ko ng Devotion”, bigla niyang binago ang aking buhay, na parang isang panaginip na pangyayari!..mga opportunities sa ibang bansa, at pag-lilibot sa buong mundo, na ang dala-dala kung pera sa bulsa- pitaka ay $7.00-dolyar lamang…Umi-iyak ako sa Eroplano, ng maa-lala ko ang mga pangyayri, dahil isang himala na mai-tuturing ko sa aking sarili ( na ang aking buhay noon, ay halos ang pinagmulan ni pacman, ay pareho lang, e.g.. )…My share about the miracle from ” mahal na NAZARENO “..kaya sa tuwing uuwi ko at mag-balikbayan, di ko nakakalimot sa pag-dalaw sa kanya……kahit nasa malayong lugar,may Nazareno kaming pinag-pyepistahan din sa San Diego, CA, at marami ding himala na nangyayari, lalo sa mga may sakit na Kanser, at dina-dala sa Hospital….Kaya, di natin masisi ang mga deboto,milyon-milyo man, dahil may-kanya-kanay silang karanasan at natatangap na biyayang pinag-hahawakan 0 karanasang di makalimutan sa buhay…my share of thoughts!
‘yung Holy Child kasi ay bata pa si Hesus samantalang ang Nazareno ay nagpapasan na siya ng krus patungo sa bundok ng kalbaryo. pero, si Hesus pa rin naman ang pinatutungkulan ng dalawang imahe, di ba?
ano’t ano man, ang matibay na paniniwala at pananampalataya sa Poong Lumikha ang nagliligtas at magliligtas sa ating lahat!
Nakakalugod pagmasdan ang ating mga kababayang Pinoy sa kanilang ipinamalas na PANATA sa ating Mahal na Panginoon…ngayon ang tangi ko lamang tanong sa aking sarili ay ganito?
The Scripture says; “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.(Prov.14:12)
…Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”(Matt.15:7-9)
“But why do you call Me “Lord, Lord,” and do not do the things which I say?(Luke6:46)…because it is written, “Be holy, for I am Holy. (1Pet.1:16)
“Do not be rash with you mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.” (Eccl.5:2)
“But let your ‘YES’, be ‘YES’, and your ‘NO,’ ‘NO’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.(Matt.5:37)……”Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.(2Cor.13:5)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Libery. (2Cor.3:17)……”Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Jam.1:27)
“Do you not see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?(Jam.2:22)……the wisdowm that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”(Jam.3:17)
Isang katutuhanan, ang paniniwala sa Panginoong HESUS, “marami siyang manifestations”, depende sa mga mensahing ibig ipahiwatig sa mga iba’t-bang tao o iba’t-ibang malalalim na paniniwala. Ang mga ito ay matatawag na “Divine Mystical Phenomena”, na ang kapangyarihang Diyos lamang ang naka-babatid, o kanyang kagustuhan ( di kaalaman ng Tao, at di kagustuhan ). Mga ” manifestations “, ay marami: Santo Ninyo o Holy Child, Nazareno, Sacred Heart, the Eye, Holy Face, Pag-kabuhay-Resurrection, the Footprints, The Divine Mercy, and many more..Nag-manifested din SIYA, sa mga naging famous na mga Saints, through, Stigmata and sufferings, katulad ni St. Padre PIO, at St. Francis at ST Anthony Padua, e.g….Ginawa niya ang mga iyon, sa kagustuhang, iligtas ang sang-Katauhan sa mga kasalanang mga nagagawa, at mabigyan ng pagkakataong magsisi, at manumbalik sa tunay na Pag-ibig sa DIyos, para makamtan ang buhay na walang hanggan at kaligayahan, sa na-ipangakong “Paraiso- Heaven”. Ito ang tunay na kayamanan na di naglalaho-mawawala, hindi ang kayamanang nawawala dito sa daigdig, na punong-puno ng pagsubok, araw-araw…my food for thoughts o isang pananaw..
Following article is by Reynaldo M. Lantin of Los Banos, Laguna. He sent it to Msgr. Jose Clemente F. Ignacio,Parish Priest of Quiapo Church with the aim of improving the annual celebration.
Thanks to Andy Ibay for sending me the article.
In the interest of solemnity of the occasion, orderliness of procession and safety as well as reduced stress oN devotees while preserving the beautiful Filipino culture of Catholic religiosity during the yearly celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, may I submit the following ideas for consideration of planners for the next year’s celebration? Such ideas have been triggered only by information from radio and observations of scenes on TV (not actual experiences) and therefore, may have certain deficiencies. Nevertheless, the concept is there.
A side benefit for the country of the religious and colorful procession is the encouragement of tourists to visit the country and witness a truly Filipino culture and tradition. However, the conduct of it should be orderly and civilized to impress upon observers a good image of the Philippines where people are religious and where it is really fun.
Most of the injuries and risks during this year’s procession (sometimes deaths had occurred in the past) consisted of bruises, broken bones, increased hypertension and dehydration illnesses because of devotees’ overcrowding and wild jostling to get near or climb the carosa and to hold the ropes to share effort in propelling it forward. Many of the devotees interviewed on TV and radio, said that they really did not mind the sacrifices and hardships involved and that their panata would be fulfilled if only they can hold the rope. Nevertheless, their health and safety were at risk.
My suggestions involve physical improvement of the carosa design and the accompanying management of the conduct of the procession. Needless to say, these need human and financial resources for which donations may be solicited. Donors will most likely respond favorably if the plan is made known to them as the Feast is a nationwide celebration but special in Quiapo Church.
1. Carosa design modification. For orderly kissing, touching and wiping of the Black Nazarene poon by devotees and at the same time maximizing the opportunities and their number for doing so (it is not possible for all the estimated 8 million devotees to do so under the limited time and even under the most efficient system), removable, stable and heavy-duty platforms or walkways may be attached to the carosa, one at the left side and one at the right side. Each narrow platform with safety rail guards is to be supported by front and rear rubber-tired caster wheels for easy steering of the carosa and has a raised front (entrance) and rear (exit) stairs or steps. The carosa and the attached platforms are fitted with independent hand-operated emergency brakes, one lever in front and one lever at the rear and an articulated steering lever. The two draw ropes for the carosa may be lengthened (perhaps extended to one kilometer long) to accommodate more devotees in holding on to the rope and in getting their share of propelling the carosa as part of their panata. The manner of organizing for and operating the ropes is described in item 2 below.
The increased width of the carosa can be accommodated by making the carosa travel on the middle of the road. For negotiating narrow roads or when passing through a narrow door or gate, the attachments may be removed temporarily.
2. Operation and management. Only seven official persons are authorized to walk along, not ride the carosa to operate it and to assist the devotees for orderly performing their ritual. These persons are: one steerer, one front supervisor and emergency brake operator, one rear supervisor and emergency brake operator, two devotee guides/helpers each stationed beside the front stairs of the carosa and two devotee guides/helpers each stationed beside the rear stairs.
No riders, except the authorized devotees originating from and holding the two draw ropes will be permitted to climb the carosa but in an orderly manner. Yet such devotees should continue walking (no stopping) on the platform while kissing, wiping and touching the Black Nazarene poon then exiting by climbing down the rear stairs in backward position (for safety) while the carosa is moving forward. To ensure safety, the devotees climbing up and down the stairs are assisted by the official guides who are six-footers, of large build and strong.
The minimal number of persons moving along with carosa is aimed at preserving the sanctity of conveying the Black Nazarene. No persons, except the authorized stationary (not walking) devotees holding on the rope will be allowed in the space between the two carosa draw ropes. Each such devotee who has been authorized for holding on the rope and for eventually climbing the carosa, shares in propelling the carosa by pulling the rope hand over hand but remaining in place waiting for the carosa to come in front.
See item 3 below for authorization of the devotees to climb the stairs and walk on the platform.
Order is seen to it by selected burly official devotee “bouncers” (six-footer, large body build and strong, preferably dark complexioned and handsome walking alongside the ropes to prevent any intruder into the rope free inter-space. These bouncers may be police officers or soldiers but being so is not a requirement or a pass to get such assignment. Being so may command respect from the crowd apart from providing security.
Optional and desirable. Preserve the traditional ritual in a Catholic religion procession by providing a marching band well in front (moving with the head end of the one-km long draw rope ) and groups of devotees praying the rosary and choirs singing religious hymns (with loud speakers) at distances behind and in front of the carosa. Provide also an escort civilian platoon marching in column formation along each side of the carosa. Each platoon consists of three columns of colorfully uniformed escort, which may be called “Black Nazarene Knights” (similar to the Swiss Guards stationed at the Vatican in Rome during special occasions such as Christmas and New Year) with similar (may be modified) requirements of composition (height 6 – 6.2 ft, large build, dark complexioned and handsome/pretty). The escort platoon not only provides the honors but also functions to ward off intruders into the carosa by barricading them off but still not obstructing the view of the carosa.
3. Authorization of devotees to hold the carosa draw rope then climb the carosa and excluding the stragglers.
There are options on how this authorization can be done. The important thing is that it be socialized, that is, both the rich and the poor have equal chances of being authorized by equal efforts such as first come first served.
One option is pre-registration similar to the procedure in the Vatican for the privilege of entering the St Peter Basilica to hear mass during Christmas eve (similar to our simbang gabi). There, pre-registration or getting free entrance tickets starts as early as October and may be obtained from authorized Parishes and Catholic organizations as well as on line. .
If registration fees are charged, then the poorest of the poor who number most of the active devotees (present in the procession) may not get the privilege. The same thing holds true with on-line registration even if free.
Donations may be accepted to defray the huge expenses for the celebration such as organization (e.g. ticket printing), carosa modification, uniforms, supplies and materials, hiring of bands and sound systems, operation, etc.
Perhaps a more socialized registration is through the Parishes in Luzon and the Visayas which may be given quotas (some Parishes may be given on-line registration quotas if they have internet facilities) of how many to give out. Donations may also be given through such Parishes but these are voluntary and do not ensure getting entrance tickets.
The number of tickets or devotees per kilometer of each draw rope length may be calculated. The ticket numbers for a Parish may be grouped so that ticket holders in that Parish may occupy one segment of the street along the route of the procession. Thus, the ticket holders will know what time and where to go to line up or form two single lines. Moreover, they can organize a pilgrimage.
Monitors will keep order and inspect the tickets for authorization and will hold up signs indicating the range of ticket numbers in the segment of the road assigned to them. Devotees may bring small stools or chairs with them but would hand them away from the line to their companions as the carosa nears. In the tickets they will be advised to bring water, umbrella, food and food packaging waste paper bags or baskets and minimal cash, all of which will be subjected to security checks. Advice on not bringing much cash and no jewelry and hiding cell phones well will discourage snatchers. The monitors will keep the sides of the line clear of people at least two meters wide to allow for the escort platoon to pass through.
As the lead end of the draw rope nears, the line comes to order; no stragglers or unauthorized intruders trying to insert themselves into the line will be allowed. This is the time for the monitors to have a final check of the ticket holders and arrange them according to the increasing order of the ticket number. For cooperation, each devotee will be asked to watch the devotee in front and behind him or her and report changes to the monitor (secretly that is to avoid trouble).
“Bouncers” also approach with the rope lead end. Absolutely, no ticket holder will be allowed by the monitor and if a straggler insists on doing so, the “bouncers” will bodily move him away for turn-over to the nearest police officers present in the area. If a ticket holder has a companion without a ticket, that companion may stay on the sideline since essentially the ticket holder will board and get off the carosa at about the same spot to rejoin the companion. Then they can go home immediately to reduce the number of people in the area.
4. Protocol for non-holders of tickets. .The non-holders of tickets become mere spectators on the sidelines and will not have chances of boarding the carosa for the year’s celebration. However, they can also participate as usual by requesting a ticket holder to touch or pat, not wipe their gimpo (face towel) on the poon for them. The method of throwing the gimpo to people clinging to the Black Nazarene poon for wiping and then throwing it back to the owner will no longer be practiced. A ticket holder devotee may have a maximum of three gimpos (including their own) for touching the poon. This limitation is to avoid delay in the continuous or non-stop flow of devotees.
The smooth and uninterrupted flow of devotees through the platform is coaxed by the guides stationed on the bottom of the stairs.
Everyone who has gone through the ritual may be advised not to linger on and instead go home as soon as possible.