True to its theme, “Dapat Siyang Tumaas, at Ako Nama’y Bumaba” (John 3:30), this year’s celebration of the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno in Manila saw thousands of devotees humbled by their faith and devotion.
Attendees sacrificed time, sweat, and tears just to have the chance to touch and pay tribute to the Nazareno—even for a few seconds—who has become both their savior and guiding light.
While covering the traditional Pahalik of the holy image—where devotees line up for hours to touch and wipe cloths on the statue, believing that doing so transfers the Nazareno’s healing and blessing powers — this writer spotted a man who stood quietly in line.
He wore a shirt bearing the photo of a woman and a young girl, along with the words: “Hesus Nazareno, alagaan niyo po sila” (Jesus Nazareno, please take care of them).
When interviewed, the man introduced himself as Gener, a 46-year-old dispatching officer at a delivery company in Valenzuela City.
Gener shared that he had been an ardent follower of Jesus Nazareno since the 1980s, when he and his parents regularly attended Mass at Quiapo Church during the Feast of the Nazareno.
He continued this tradition through his teenage years and into adulthood, eventually joining the Traslacion procession.
“Kinalakihan ko na po yung pagiging deboto ng Nazareno kasi deboto din po yung mga magulang ko. Wala hong mintis yun kada taon pag Pista nagsisimba ho kami dito. Dinadayo talaga namin tapos rekta Kim Chong Tin para kumain ng hopia. Pinagpatuloy ko ho yung ganung tradisyon kahit nung nagkapamilya na po ako.”
His devotion also led him to the love of his life, Isabel, whom he met by chance at Quiapo Church.
“Nagkasabay po kami sa may tirikan ng kandila. Talagang na-hook ako sa ganda niya tapos nakalimutan ko na yung dapat ipagdarasal ko nung araw na ‘yun. Pagkatapos namin magtirik, nagpakilala na ako sa kanya tapos yun matinding ligawan na. Nagkataon din po taga-Retiro lang siya kaya naging madalas yung pagkikita namin at pagsisimba dito sa Maynila. Madalas dito sa Quiapo, minsan sa Binondo Church, San Sebastian Church, Manila Cathedral—church-hopping baga.”
Gener and Isabel eventually married and were blessed with a daughter, Cristina.
“Sobrang saya po talaga kasi nung una nalaman namin na may problema sa matres ng asawa ko, may possibility na hindi kami magkaka-anak. Pero hindi po kami nawalan ng pag-asa. Sinubukan namin nang sinubukan hanggang sa ayun, nabuntis din ho asawa ko. Talagang todo dasal kami sa Nazareno kasi parang blessing niya na dumating sa amin ang anak namin. Tinupad niya yung hiling namin.”
TRAGEDY AND LOSS
In May 2009, tragedy struck his family.
A speeding car driven by an intoxicated driver crashed into a tricycle carrying Isabel and Cristina. Gener’s wife, daughter, and the tricycle driver were all killed.
The loss devastated Gener, plunging him into deep depression and addiction to drugs and alcohol.
“Nawalan na po akong direksyon sa buhay. Nawalan na po ako ng gana mabuhay. Minsan naisip ko pa pong magpakamatay na lang, sasama na ako sa kanila. Hindi na po ako umuwi dito sa Valenzuela; doon na ako nagstay sa Mindoro. Doon na din po ako nalulong sa droga. Kumbaga, ‘yun na lang naging goal ko para mabuhay—kailangan ko makasinghot ng shabu.”
Gener was eventually arrested in an entrapment operation and spent two years in prison.
FAITH RESTORED
He was later released for good behavior and lived with his cousin’s family, who helped restore his faith in the Nazareno.
“Sinabihan ako ng pinsan ko na sumama sa kanilang mag-anak sa Pahalik sa Quiapo nung 2017 bilang pasasalamat sa pagbibigay sa akin ng bagong buhay ng Panginoon. Pagpunas ko po ng panyo ko sa paa ng Nazareno, bigla pong nangamoy pabango ng asawa ko yung panyo ko. Doon na ako humagulgol ng iyak talaga.”
“Para bang pinaalala sa akin ng Poon na nasa piling na niya yung mag-ina ko kaya wala na akong dapat ipag-alala. Parang sinabi niya na hindi pa tapos ang lahat. Madami pa akong pwedeng gawin sa buhay ko para magbago ako ng tuluyan kahit wala na yung mag-ina ko.”
Gener’s story shows that Jesus Nazareno is not merely an image made of wood and other materials. It is a centuries-old tradition that continues to guide people toward humility and strengthens their faith despite life’s challenges. (Patrick Garcia)
