(from left) Noli de Castro, Coco Martin, Angeline Quinto
MANILA, Philippines – Every year, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, one of the biggest displays of Catholic devotion in the country, draws millions of crowds to the streets of Quiapo, Manila, celebrities included.
Most people endure the discomforts of drawing their way into thick crowds in hours-long mass procession known as “Traslacion” to kiss and wipe their cloth on the statue of the Black Nazarene hoping to absorb its miraculous powers.
Others who have experienced its miracles already maintain their devotion by visiting the statue regularly or even participating in the procession.
Here are some famous personalities known to have veneration to the Black Nazarene.
- Angeline Quinto
Angeline Quinto. Photo/Instagram
Growing up in Sampaloc, Manila, singer Angeline Quinto had grown to be a devotee of the Black Nazarene.
She said the Black Nazarene has been instrumental in making her dreams a reality. In her interviews she said she has been a devotee since she was a child and it was her grandmother who introduced her to the devotion.
She too experienced forcing her way into jam packed crowds with her late adoptive mother known in showbiz as Mama Bob and childhood friends. During the time that her mother can no longer join the procession, she was the one who continued their tradition.
Her faith in the Black Nazarene has changed her life dramatically. One of the wishes she said was fulfilled by her devotion was having a regular job in singing.
Last year, she even received a detailed image of the Black Nazarene made by a known sculptor from Pampanga.
She plans to introduce her faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene to her son Baby Sylvio with husband Nonrev Daquino who is also a devotee.
- Coco Martin
Coco Martin. Photo/Instagram
Everyone’s “Batang Quiapo” is a devout devotee of the Black Nazarene.
It was in 2007 when he first first got to touch the Black Nazarene while filming Brillante Mendoza’s “Tirador.” Hearing about its miraculous powers, if you get to touch it on its feast day, everything you wish for will come true, he would hear the mass at the Quiapo Church with his grandmother.
He only had one wish then.
“Kahit ‘di po ako matulog, basta bigyan N’yo lang ako ng trabaho—kahit ‘di pag-aartista,” he said in an interview.
Years later, sleep would indeed be his luxury because of the abundant blessings he received which he credits to the powers of the Black Nazareno.
- Noli de Castro
Noli de Castro. Anthony Taberna/Facebook
Among the most famous devotees of the Black Nazarene is veteran broadcaster Noli de Castro who has been seen time and again braving the thich crowds just to get his towel to get a touch of the ebony figure.
He would usually take a leave from his morning newscast to join the procession.
From a rugged barrio boy, de Castro would attribute his success in media and politics to his faith.
Back in his fourth year in college, his family then relocated to Arlegui Street in Quiapo just a few steps away from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. He would naturally then be invited to participate in the procession.
After earning his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the East in 1971, he worked in a small radio station in Intramuros. This is where he developed the habit of dropping by Quiapo Church to offer prayers to the Nazareno before heading home.
“Every afternoon kasama ako dun sa dumadayo sa Mahal na Nazareno para humalik at magdasal. ‘Yun ang nangyari araw-araw, araw-araw, ilang taon kong ginawa ‘yun. he shared on Father Douglas Badong’s YouTube Channel Misa at Pagninilay.
Naturally, people are drawn to the devotion in the hopes of having their request granted. De Castro, too, had his own wish.
“Tapos taun-taon nakiki-procession na rin ako, Pumapasan na rin ako. At syempre pangkaraniwan magdadasal pa Father ng iyong request sa mahal na Nazareno” he said.
“Ang request ko lang nun ay magkaron ako ng sariling programa sa radyo dun sa istasyon na nagtatrabaho ako, hindi naman nagtagal nagkaroon ako,” he said.
After the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986, he was offered to join ABS-CBN.
“Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ako sa pagpunta sa Quiapo. Lumiliban lamang ako sa pagpunta tuwing Biyernes kung ako ay nasa ibang bansa. I see to it na ang schedule ko walang Biyernes ng umaga even until today,” he said.
He also sought guidance for his decision to join politics. He ran for senator in 2001 and Vice President in 2004.
- Giselle Sanchez
Giselle Sanchez. Photo/Instagram
Unlike the others who have grown faithful to the Nazareno since childhood, actress Giselle Sanchez refers to herself as an ”accidental devotee.”
In an interview she recalled that when she saw the Poong Nazareno, she did not touch it but just made a sign of the cross.
A religious leader then asked her to take a look at the devotees who do everything just to touch the Black Nazarene when she only took a sign of the cross.
She then offered a prayer.
“Nazareno, ipakita mo sa akin kung bakit nagkakagulo ang mga taong ito… kung bakit halos magpakamatay sila, kahit maaksidente, para lang mahipo ka. Bakit sila naglalakad nang nakayapak mula Luneta Grandstand hanggang Quiapo para lang sa debosyon nila para sa iyo.” she said.
After touching the end of His robe, tears began to flow. “Parang pumasok ang Holy Spirit sa akin. Nakaramdam ako ng kagalingan.”
She was then suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a disorder that causes pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.
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