Ryan

Handicraft stall owner, Ryan Arcega, prepares to cleanse his Nazareno wooden image as he stripped it to the wood, removing all garments, crowns, belt, and accessories adorning the 12-inch Black Nazarene. The owner claims it to be around 100 years old and fondly calls it “Senior Anak.”

The Santo is quite different from the newer versions sold in Quiapo today. His is a “bulto” particularly a “bastido.” A mannequin type, framed to kneel with jointed head, arms, and legs and designed to fit garments and accessories.

Ryan narrates that a friend found this image along Palma street in Quiapo. Burnt, armless, with the cross and crown missing. Recognizable only by its “Poong Nazareno” coronet and a big garment belt which Nuestro Padre Jesus- Nazareno (NPJ-Nazareno) hammered relief on a somewhat copper-based metal.

Later on, it was learned that the original owner is an elderly mestiza, “Aling Pat” who kept the Nazareno image since she was a teener until her ’80’s.

Remarkably, Ryan does not belong to any Balanghay — a confraternity of sort for devotees in the service of the Black Nazarene.

He talks candidly about the Gospel of Life, considering himself a pure devotee to the “Poong Senior Ama” (the title devotees lovingly attribute to the Jesus Christ of Nazarene).

Listening to him is like listening to a well-thought homily. He says he got to know the Nazareno when he was having so many problems, deep in debts, heavy into vices, and all sorts of trials.

Then he expounded: “Yung mga homiliya kase na sinasabi ng simbahan — ‘magbalik ka, magbalik ka’ panghawakan mo yung pangako ng Poong Nazareno. Huwag kang mabahala. Nazareno ang bahala.” ( The homilies that comes from the church invites us to “comeback, comeback”, hold on to the promises of the Nazarene. Do not worry. The Nazareno will take care of it all.”)

Going back to when the Nazareno came into his life, Ryan states “Naluha nga ako dyan. Sabi ko ‘Yung isang nawala, dumating sa akin.’ Sabi ko sa Kanya, bahala Ka na sa kin.” ( “I cried when He came into my life. I thought, the lost one came to me. I told Him, ‘I surrender. Take care of me.’”)

Jed

Cigar-chomping 80-year old “Jed” or Mercedes Ruiz sells just about anything around Quiapo area. Particularly underneath the Quezon Bridge near Quinta Market where she was born. Today, she sells Nazareno headbands for 10 pesos, hoping to earn 500 pesos before the day ends.

Born on the 18th of January 1950 right underneath Quezon Bridge — the very place where she peddles her merchandise.

Jed knows that the Nazareno will always be there for them.

During the conversation, she laments on the demolition of their house beside Pasig river to give way to the concreting of the river bank.

She says that although they sleep in the gutter under the bridge, they feel safe and protected by the Nazareno. Jed lives with her 50-year old husband.

Jude

Braving the heat and long line towards the Quiapo Church, Jude Rasonabe, 26, from Caloocan, tenderly holds his image of the Black Nazarene in preparation for its blessing.

Recently hospitalized for pancreatitis, Jude says this is his way of expressing his thanks to the “Poong Nazareno” for taking care of him.

by Joel Mataro