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NAZARENO 2024 ON GRANDSTAND: A HOLY EVE OF WORSHIP & PRAISE FOR ‘HESUS NAZARENO’

Mar. 17, 2024 02:40 PM

The stage of Luneta Grandstand with the Black Nazarene image at the center all set for the Nazareno 2024 celebration. Photo by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

LUNETA GRANDSTAND – After three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno celebrates Nazareno 2024 with on-site program activities on January 8, 2024, at the Luneta Grandstand, organized by the Parish Youth Ministry (PYM), spearheaded by Mr. Jenezis Caliwag, the PYM Supervisor, and Mr. John Michael Baluyot, PYM Headlay.

Rev. Fr. Arellano, LRMS, leads the ‘Panalangin sa Takipsilim’ before the start of Nazareno 2024 Grandstand program. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

The Nazareno 2024 program at Luneta Grandstand starts at 4:05 p.m. with the choir performance from the Quiapo church youth ministry, followed by a video presentation of the Nazareno 2024 official logo with its corresponding explanation and this year’s theme: “Ibig naming makita si Hesus” – Juan. Next in the line-up are the drum and lyre corps from the Nazarene Catholic School (NCS). Karakol dancers from Nuestra Senora de Soledad Parish also graced the event with their dance presentation. At 5:00 p.m., Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS, Quiapo parochial vicar, officiates the evening prayer.

Members of the Feast Worship perform songs of worship and praise for Jesus the Nazarene. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

The Feast Worship performs songs of praises and worship in honor of the Black Nazarene, setting the ambiance of concert-like among the spectators. Throughout this segment, after each of these songs of reverence: “Adoration,” “Contrition,” “Thanksgiving,” and “Supplication,” four bible passages are read, and four youth members open their respective testimonies, namely: Mr. Pat. Cedrick Bernardo, Mr. Rick Pacheco, Ms. Veronica Rodillas aka “Sampaguita Girl” and Ms. Paula Serrano.

Parish Youth Ministry (PYM) members showcasing their dance performance during the program. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

In addition, six dramas showcase the youth’s talent in theatrical acting in interpreting the Nazareno 2024 theme: “Tatlong Banal,” “Makikita-Kita,” “Panaghoy ng Musmos,” “Balintataw,” “Huling Kumpisal” and “Gising Laykong Filipino.” During each presentation, Rev. Frs. Kevin Crisostomo and Jeff Manlapig from Diocese of Paranaque host the program covered by TV Maria.

During the second part of the program, after the midnight Misa Mayor, three (3) well-renowned gifted singers captivate the devotees with their astounding voices: Mr. Anthony, Juan Voice Champion, Ms. Leah Patricio, an opera singer and first runner-up of The Voice Philippines, and Ms. Allison Taner.

Heart-to-Heart Talk segment of the program (left) with Mr. Jiggy Manicad (right) devotee of the Black Nazarene and former GMA News reporter, as one of the sharers during the talk. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church

One of the program’s highlights is the “Heart-to-Heart Talk” with Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang and Dra. Gaines Rosario as the host. Six (6) special guests are invited to share their genuine stories of personal devotion to the Nazareno: Police Sgt. Morales, member of Tau Gamma Phi & HDN Central; Mr. Brian Bana, member of the aforementioned fraternity & HDN ANPON with his wife, Mrs. Mikaela Delos Santos-Bana, a call center agent, make-up artist & HDN ANPON; Mr. Jun Toloso, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and HDN MBBN member and affiliate of Senor Magbubuklod at UAE; Mr. Benzon Quijano, seaman and a member of HDN MBBN and lastly, Mr. Jiggy Manicad, from the Ministry of the Words (MOW) of Quiapo Church & formerly known as GMA News reporter.

As an OFW in UAE, Mr. Jun Toloso opens up becoming a member of HDN-MBBN because of his cousin in the same organization. He started as a carriage steerer (mamamasan) together with his relatives until he had become an OFW. To him, the greatest blessing of Nazareno is his passing of the board examination for SPLE. In UAE, a dominant Muslim country, he shares his challenge of exercising caution among his associated group of fellow devotees who practice the Catholic faith publicly. In this place, where Catholicism constitutes among the minority of various faiths, it is an issue of worshipping in private sans government interference. However, he remains hopeful that the organization will thrive as far as the Nazareno devotion propagates.

Another OFW and a member of HDN-MBBN, Mr. Benzon Quijano, reveals his blessings of passing the seaman board examination. However, the promising life of success in his profession was a tough and rough road. Throughout his story, he reveals he has experienced financial debts after a crisis that affected his company as he was a contractual marine. For nine months without earnings, he has to spend all his earnings and even aid by lending to some in need. In the end, his efforts became futile after no one came to help him when he needed the help. During the Traslacion, he had thought of knocking and climbing up the carriage hoping for an answered prayer. God’s mercy came when he received a call asking him to be on board bound for China on January 12.

As a law enforcer, Mr. Morales’s story is an example of a mysterious vocation by God amidst all the hardships felt accompanied by questions of His existence beyond human comprehension. His ‘turning point’ was during his straight 24-hour duty then. As he looked up to the ‘Pahalik,’ he wondered why these people were experiencing life difficulties if ‘He’ was real indeed. One night, he dreamt of being ‘hanged’ in a garrote with the twist that it is himself doing the act. At the end of the stairs, he saw someone sitting there. His brother from HDN-CENTRAL believes that maybe it is a ‘calling’ to serve the Poong Hesus Nazareno. Hence, his journey as a member of the Hijos Nazareno Central started.

The Bana couple’s story of love and devotion is rooted in their respective parents, who were also members of the Hijos del Nazareno. As they were not members of the HDN-ANPON, to begin with, it was after their first meeting that not only two souls connected intimately with one another but their shared love for the Nazareno. As devotees, challenges are part of the test to acknowledge God’s perfect time. Mr. Brian Bana recalls how he remained grateful and clinging to faith in the Nazareno despite receiving news of his failed attempt to pass the board exam – one date he remembers was during Traslacion – January 9th. For Mrs. Mikaela Bana, she learned the value of focusing on what matters the most through believing in God’s perfect timing amidst the feelings of anxiety when she first learned of her pregnancy two weeks prior to her upcoming examinations. At present, she is elated with the blessing of having their child, not to mention he was featured once in a newspaper’s photo coverage of Traslacion.

Mr. Manicad’s heartfelt story of his devotion to the Black Nazarene started with hearing stories of His miraculous acts during childhood. It had blossomed from 2006 up to before the COVID-19 pandemic when he ‘joined some groups of devotees in an attempt to get near to the Nazareno’ every Traslacion. Next thing he committed to was applying for the Ministry of Word (MOW) in Quiapo Church upon the advice of Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, Quiapo church former parochial vicar. Throughout his service, he has witnessed God’s communication directing him to ‘take the narrow path less travelled by’, which bore fruits of many blessings from God’s generosity. For Mr. Manicad, his ‘biggest blessing’ is the love and time to his family, friends, and Quiapo church, which is incomparable. In addition, his stories of surviving life-and-death experiences as a former GMA news reporter are living testaments that God sees and is with us all the time. To this day, as a primetime anchor, despite uncertainties of unaccomplished standards, he continues to seek guidance in understanding the will of God as he quotes: “Do not worry tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry itself“. God’s will be done and so is his blessings as we go to Him straight from the heart.

Mr. Coco Martin, Philippines’ renowned Primetime Action King actor, starring in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo makes a public appearance onstage before the start of Traslacion procession. Photos by Social Communications Ministry (SOCCOMM), Quiapo Church 

Mr. Coco Martin, Philippines’ Primetime Action King, starring in his present hit show, ‘Batang Quiapo’, and a famed devotee of Nazareno, makes his appearance on stage. His journey to becoming a full-fledged devotee had begun during his childhood days through his parents, with special mention of his grandmother, who was the guiding light of his family. From being a spectator and attending an El Shaddai event in Luneta, he developed his faith by reaching out to the Nazareno whenever he experienced life problems. To the point of questioning seeking opportunities, even at least a decent regular job in this country. However, it was the grace of God to be where he is now because of his fervent prayers. With that, he advises his fellow devotees not to get tired and to be one in dreaming, praying, and keeping the faith in the Lord and the Virgin Mary.

Prior to becoming an actor, he admits that he was not hoping to be one due to a lack of confidence. However, when he gained the opportunity to be part of the entertainment industry, he believed that was the work of God’s miracle in solving uncontrollable problems. His experience gave him this takeaway as he quotes: “May opportunidad, minsan pinabayaan. May trabaho pero di pinagbuti” (There are opportunities but taken for granted. There are jobs but did not do well). Mr. Martin encourages everyone to strive and excel in every endeavor. He adds, “Start from low, but with perseverance to high.” Now, as an actor, he sees himself as an ‘instrument’ to help those lost and deprived of opportunities to provide for the jobless and needy. He sees himself in his ‘humble beginnings and small quests’ to aid his family, relatives, and those around him with ‘simplicity.’ He inspires people not to lose hope and to be strong, humane, God-fearing, and loving.

Concerning religious piety centered on God, Mr. Martin reminds the people to celebrate properly with love, adoration, and respect without inflicting injuries or physical harm to others. All of us have ‘crosses in our life.’ Like him, the shutdown of the ABS-CBN network was among his rock-bottom experiences. However, he saw this as a test of enduring faith in the Lord amidst all trials. As he quotes: “Anong ibigay sa atin huwag tayo susuko…huwag bibitiw at makakalimot.” (Whatever trials will be given to us, we should never lose hope…never let go and forget). He also reveals that he almost gave up on his faith, but he continues to strive hard to reach the peak of his career and life success.

 – Kidanzac A. Tallada | ADRM & EIAM