The Incredible Guide to the Black Nazarene

The carroza is like a boat sailing through a sea of devotees (Image source: International Business Times)

Foreword: In my opinion, I will simply nickname the event, 'The Estandarte March.'

This will be my first post of the New Year, and I am so busy with it ever since. 

One sociologist said that this celebrated procession has experiencing pain for the devotees that could be leading to a form of satisfaction of faith, prayer, and most of all, penance. I being a Black Nazarene devotee since 2010 before my heyday as a cosplay photographer when the Nazareno de Quiapo came to visit my hometown for the first time, then my life forever changed when I become a photographer for this historic event. Now, since it's my fifth year as a devotee, I had to prepare myself, and my body on the line to take the andas as this year's Black Nazarene procession will start after the Evening Mass because the parish where I visited has its own Mass schedule as usual. I recently read a news article that one man (a member of Hijos del Nazareno) dies during the procession started at Rizal Park, in which the man was declared dead on arrival due to a heart attack. Anyways, this year's procession will have a quick big turn in anticipation of Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines on the 15th to the 19th. Here are three quotes I have pick for:

First a Carmelite priest:

"Unfortunately, some people go to the extreme that they no longer differentiate worship from veneration." -Christian Buenafe

Then here's the three quotes from the Archbishop of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in his homily during the Midnight Mass at the Quirino Grandstand:

"Look up to God, look back and bow down to Him. Let’s make it a pattern of life of spirituality."

"A true devotee is one who look up, look back and bow down to God, knowing fully well that without Him, he is nothing."

"Let this be a challenge to all of us–look up, look back and bow down to God. And may we be able to do this to honor our beloved Jesus of Nazarene and help others especially those who have less or nothing in life, those who are in need most of our mercy and compassion."

Every devotee's body, man or woman, will put its body on the line to resist and feel the perseverance. #Nazareno2015

— Arvee Santos Andaya (@PinoyCruger) January 9, 2015

So in request to my personal thoughts, Galleria de la Guardia present to you this guide. If you are going to Quiapo, and if you are a newbie devotee of the miraculous image, here's my tips (just in case that I am a veteran devotee) and some fun facts:

• Make sure to wear the official uniform color: maroon and yellow (or gold), because it represents the image's clothing. For marshalls (aka the Black Nazarene Security Force in my opinion), they wear yellow or white to guard the image. Plus they also equip megaphones, whistles, and handheld transceivers.
• Millions of devotees go absolutely barefoot why? According to Wikipedia, if you go barefoot, it represents penance and in emulation of Christ on his way to Golgotha, the place where he crucified. When you go home with some battle scars on your feet, please prepare a basin of water, soap, and a nifty hand towel to make your feet clean.
• Many of the vendors in Quiapo sells some incredible replica statues of the Black Nazarene, ranging from small to large-scales. If you go for the large-scale, then you need to save some moolah. They also sell some random stuff including printed hand towels, Nazareno necklaces come from different forms, healing oils, and many stuff that you can find in its present place: the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.
• An unknown sculptor from Mexico creates the image in 1600 (the year when the Battle of Sekigahara takes place during Japan's Warring States). Six years later, the statue is putting on board in the galleon en route from Acapulco to Manila. Suddenly, a fire breaks out, but according to legend, the flames reach the statue, but instead of burning it, only its fair skin turned from ivory to ebony hence its name.
• The Augustinian Recollects acquire the statue in May that year in Manila, then they bring it home to its first home: the Church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan (now part of Luneta).
• Many years later in 1650, the Vatican establishes the Confradia de Jesus Nazareno (Confraternity of Jesus the Nazarene) by Pope Innocent X, then in 1880, Pope Pius VII blesses the image, and granting plenary indulgence to those who pray before the statue.
• Finally, on January 9th, 1787, the image is now transferred to its present home, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. For many years, the commemoration of the Traslación (refers to 'passage' or 'movement' in Spanish) is celebrated by millions of devotees.
• Well talk about resistance like a castle or a fortress wall! The image survives fires, earthquakes, and in the Second World War, why? That is because the older and more popular copy belong to the Recollects was destroyed during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.
• The carriage (or carroza) used in processions is called the 'Ándas' (Spanish term for 'andar', meaning to go forward), but until the latter part of the 20th century, the Ándas is resting on its main altar and is survived by the war.

Image Source: Al Jazeera

And now, here are my tips:

• Two words: Stay hydrated. Bring water or any kind of beverage you choose (Warning: do not bring alcoholic beverages like beer or gin) in order to prevent heat exhaustion.
• Know important hotlines. Bring your medical information and emergency contacts with you. Also, you have to bring your identification card with you, just like a school ID.
• If you are about to leave your home, make sure your house is well secured and unplug electrical appliances. Oh, and deactivate your LPG (liquid petroleum gas)  in the kitchen to prevent caught fire. Please make sure to advise your family.
• Those who are ill should avoid crowded places. Those who not allowed in the procession as follows: children, the elderly, pregnant women and the handicapped. And please be physically prepared.
• Your gadgets are the key, but you don't have to bring it because many of them are attempting to steal it. Jewelry is one of them. And if you are going to take some shots from the procession, make sure to bring your camera, or your picture-shooting devices.
• Make sure to bring some provisions during the procession: Candies and chocolates to avoid dizziness, crackers or biscuits, food that does not spoil, a folding fan, a hand towel (it can also act as a head towel), hand sanitizers, wet wipes, napkins, raincoat, and a paper bag to put your own garbage.
• Make sure to bring spare clothes in your bag. And just to make sure to wear proper clothing and footwear.
• Trouble in the road? Just be on alert. Beware of all possible hazards around you during the march including falling debris and motor vehicles.
• Are you lost? Should you come in groups or assign a designated point just in case someone gets missing or lost.
• You must plan a safe exit path from the sea of devotees, and in order to avoid unnecessary injuries, you have to maintain proper distance.
• And finally, know the location and means of access towards other available authorities, police stations and medical stations within the area.

Done? Please follow the tips for your next year's procession, or your debut as a maroon-clad devotee. And to end my post, VIVA NAZARENO!

Our Father Jesus Nazarene

We worship Thee

We admire Thee

Thy teachings are our life

and salvation.