Photos: Women devotees of the Black Nazarene at the traditional ‘pahalik’

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The annual Feast of the Black Nazarene starts Thursday with the traditional ‘pahalik.’ Devotees line up at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila just to get close and kiss the revered statue.

This year’s ‘pahalik’ started 9 hours earlier than scheduled — at 4am instead of the usual 1pm — to accommodate more devotees. Many of them “lined up outside the venue as early as Wednesday night, said Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, Quiapo Church rector,” reports Third Anne Peralta on Sunstar.com.ph.

According to Manila Bulletin, “The large number of followers had to wait three hours in line to get near the revered statue. A priority lane for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities was set up.”

While the world is used to seeing flocks of barefoot male devotees wrestling against each other during the traslacion at the Feast of the Black Nazarene, there are also scores of brave women devotees, who attend the annual feast. They come from all walks of life, from different generations, all with petition and in prayer. Most of their intentions have something to do with their children: Normita de Jesus, for instance, is praying for her child, who has been undergoing dialysis for 4 years now.

Below are a few women we caught up with at the annual ‘Pahalik’ at the Quirinio grandstand Thurs. Many of them are probably already at the procession to Quiapo church today.

Women devotees, Rose Marie Abilong

Rose Marie Abilong, 50 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Marsia Coili, 44 years old and Eurika Kanakubo, 7 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Gerlie Tan, 33 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Mary Buensuceso, who prays that she may live longer so that she can help her children some more

omen devotees Black Nazarene

Jesusa Briones Panganiban, 62 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Normita de Jesus, 60 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

CheChe Retondo, 34 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Jo Anne Calangi, 42 years old

Women devotees Black Nazarene

Teresita Onod, 58 years old and Camille Onod, 21 years old  

Photos: Geloy Concepcion

 

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