Menu
Donate

From Hala Bira Pwera Pasma! to Viva Poong Jesus Nazareno!

May. 10, 2023 02:47 PM

WAVE OF DEVOTEES Joined the ‘Pasanan’ during the ‘Dalaw Nazareno 2023’ in Malinao, Aklan.

 

AKLAN, Philippines – The long wait of the Aklanon has come to an end. The miraculous pilgrim image of Jesus the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church arrived in the Islands of Panay on the 20th of April in the year of the Lord 2023 escorted by the Hijos del Nazareno – Anpon.

Finally, after several attempts for the pilgrimage to happen in the island, through the initiative of Rev. Fr. Salvador ‘Fr.Buddy’ C. Piad, Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Rosario, Malinao Aklan and was assisted by Bro. Truly Flaviano, Jr., Founder of Senior Zyrene de Aklan, affiliated to Balangay NPJN, under the Hijos del Nazareno-NPJN of Quiapo Church, the visit came to realize.

The Pilgrim image arrived at the Port of Malay, Aklan on April 20, 2023 and was welcomed by an estimated crowd of 12,000 devotees who came from the different towns and barrios of Aklan, and some devotees from nearby provinces.

A motorcade going to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Rosario Malinao, Aklan followed.

 

FROM ‘HALA BIRA PWERA PASMA! TO VIVA POONG JESUS NAZARENO!
The province of Aklan has been known for its ‘Ati-atihan’ Festival while chanting ‘Hala Bira Pwera Pasma’ in honor of Señor Santo Niño. Dubbed as the Mother of all Filipino Festivals, the Tribu Datu Puti dressed in their native costume and dark skin tradition, welcomed Señor Jesus Nazareno with a band and street dance also known as ‘sadsad’. This is to welcome, give honour, and praised to Señor Jesus Nazareno while chanting and shouting ‘Viva Poong Jesus Nazareno!

TRIBU DATU PUTI Led the ‘Sadsad’ during the arrival procession of the image of Jesus the Black Nazarene.

The ‘Sadsad’ happened until they reached Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Rosario, Malinao Aklan. It was then followed by a Eucharistic Celebration presided by the parish priest, Fr. Buddy Piad. Immediately after the mass was the traditional ‘pahalik’ to the miraculous image of Jesus the Black Nazarene, where devotees form in line to wipe, kiss and pray before Jesus the Black Nazarene.

 

JESUS VISITS THE SMALL BARRIO OF ROSARIO MALINAO, AKLAN – A History In The Making
“Can anything good be from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Fr. Hans Magdurulang, Parochial Vicar and the official representative of Quiapo Church on behalf of the rector, Rev. Fr. Jun Sescon, mentioned these words to Fr. Buddy during their conversation about the visit, who was so amazed and astonished on how the people responded to the arrival of Jesus the Black Nazarene.
During the visit, Fr. Buddy has this question in mind, “Bakit sa maliit ng Barrio unang pumunta ang Mahal na Señor? Bakit dito sa maliit at simpleng simbahan sa Malinao?”
Fr. Hans answered these questions in his homily. He said, “Bakit dito nagsimula and pagdalaw ng Mahal na Poong Jesus Nazareno sa Aklan, sa isang maliit na barrio, sa isang malayo na lugar, sa isang maliit na lugar?” Huwag mong masyadong maliitin ang sarili mo. Huwag masyadong gawing huli at kawawain ang sarili mo. Mabuti kang tao. Walang ginawang masama ang Diyos. Hayaang mong ibalik ng Poong Jesus Nazareno, na sa iyong kasimplehan, sa iyong kaliitan, kahit sa iyong kahinaan, maaaring gumawa ng himala ang Diyos. Maaari kang maging biyaya.

The traditional ‘Pahalik’ continued after the mass and the parish held various activities which included the program prepared by the different ministries and organizations both from the parish and schools.

MORE THAN FOUR (4) HOURS of standing, waiting and praying during the motorcade which ended at the Parish of St. Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Banga, Aklan where an estimated crowd of 17,000 gathered.

An estimated crowd of 14,000 people were present during the mass, procession and “pahalik” on April 21, 2023 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish. Fr. Buddy was so grateful and with gratitude, offered his thanksgiving to Jesus Nazareno that in spite of being one of the smallest barrios in the town of Malinao, the Blessing and Grace of Our Lord, Jesus the Black Nazarene to their community is full and overflowing.

 

MOTORCADE OF GRACE AND HOPE – Banga, Aklan

An estimated crowd of 17,000 devotees gathered and waited along the streets of Aklan during the Motorcade of Jesus the Black Nazarene from Malinao to Banga, Aklan. Devotees were holding images, posters, different hanky and clothing waiting for Fr. Hans and Fr. Buddy to bless them with holy water. The traditional “pagpupunas” at “pagpapahid” during traslacion, where devotees throw their white face towel to the Hijos del Nazareno also happened during the motorcade.

DEVOTEES running along the vehicle of the Miraculous Pilgrim Image of Jesus the Black Nazarene.

Devotees of all ages were seen praying along the streets and numerous Aklanons were crying, as the image of the Jesus the Black Nazarene passed in front of them while saying their supplications, hope and thanksgiving.

 

SERVIAM: TRUE DEVOTION SHOULD LEAD US TO MISSION – New Washington, Aklan

ARRIVAL OF THE SON, Jesus the Black Nazarene at the parish of His mother, the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosay in New Washington, Aklan.

The third parish visited by the Pilgrim Image of the Black Nazarene in Aklan was the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in the town of New Washington on the 23rd of April. Adjacent to the Parish was the ancestral home of the late Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Manila, His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin. His Image in front of the Parish included his Episcopal Motto, SERVIAM, “I will Serve.”. Fr. Hans, in his message and homilies, reminded the faithful and Aklanon devotees to remember by heart and put in to action the episcopal motto of the late Cardinal Sin. According to Fr. Hans, Devotion will truly matter if it will lead them to Mission, “Ang Pagdedebosyon, ay may kaakibat na Misyon.” An estimated crowd of 12,000 were present during the Dalaw Nazareno in New Washington. After the mass, the devotees form in lines to venerate the image of Jesus the Black Nazarene through its traditional “pahalik”.

NEW WASHINGTON, AKLAN: Celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

Different devotees, young and old, male and female were present during the visit. The “pahalik lasted around 12 in the evening and the last mass happened in the morning. Before going back to Manila, the image of Jesus the Black Nazarene was brought at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Ibajay, Aklan. A Eucharistic Mass completed the visit in Ibajay, followed by the “pahalik. An estimated crowd of 3,000 devotees were present in the short visit to Ibajay.

The Pilgrim Image of Jesus the Black Nazarene returned home on April 25, 2023. The First “Dalaw ng Nazareno” in the Province of Aklan was made possible with the unity and coordination of the parishes, local government, tourism office, Aklan Police and the faithful and industrious leaders and members of the Balangay NPJN of Aklan.

– John Paul Mendoza | Formation Ministry