Filipinos are such devout Catholics.
I am a Filipino but I cannot say that I am a devout Catholic. Not until today.
Let me explain. *(because it’s seemingly rude to say that I am only a devout catholic for a day.)
Today. January 09, 2011. Feast day of the Black Nazarene.
Today is the day where millions of Filipinos flock to the streets of Manila to celebrate and revere in one of, if not the greatest feast in the Philippines but is one of the biggest and grandest of them all.
9 million people. 9 million Filipino Catholics. 9 million sweat-drenched, barefooted people, 9 million people dressed exactly the same as the other 8 million. 9 million devotees. 9 million believers.
I am one of those 9 million.
Yes, people. I am proud to say, I am a Black Nazarene Devotee
But this blog post isn’t about me. This is about why people are such hardcore devotees.
There is this one question that my uncle asked while we were hearing the early morning mass before the Black Nazarene parades off that got me thinking.. it goes like this:
Daddy Julius: “Ang daming tao. Ano kaya ang nagtutulak sa mga taong to’ para pumunta dito?”
Aaron: “…”
Sa totoo lang, napa-isip talaga ako. I mean, why? Why bother waking up early in the morning and go to a super-crowded place just to see a black statue carrying a big cross? Why bother risking your life just to get close to it, just to get a glimpse of it, just to get a hold of its ropes? Why bother? Why?
Up to know, wala parin akong substantial answer sa tanong na yan. But what I can derive is that we Filipinos are such resilient creatures, we get bombarded by problems, big and small. Some, we can handle, and there are some which we can’t.
I can see the importance of having someone whom we can resort our problems to, someone who will never desert us, someone whom we can completely rest our backs to. Its such a great feeling that after all the trials and hardships that we had passed through, we thank God for letting us through, after all, God wouldn’t let us face problems that he know we can’t handle.
Hindi ko naman sinasabi na problema lang ang nagtutulak sa atin para maging deboto, we can also include our thanks. His never ending graces and blessing for us. That though we are creatures who are sinful, God never ends His showers of blessings for us.
For instance, we are alive. Our lives and to those people who are around us. The people who makes us happy just because they simply exist.
Nothing in this world is far more greater blessing than the gift of life. J
So you see, if you are going to think of why people are such hardcore devotees. Make this thought as your standpoint. The devotees are there because they got where they are because of Him.
With this, I hope that everyone had a safe Feast of The Black Nazarene.
Just know that when you’re hitting rock bottom face first, there is someone who is willing to save you. Willing to be with you through it all.
So after all the rubble had passed, after the Black Nazarene had been carried off the streets of Manila, after the people, tired and exhausted had gone to their houses, remember this. In your darkest moments God will prevail, you just got to hold on to him.
I wish that this blog post had stirred something inside of you though I’m not really in the position to talk about religion. This is just my point of view, sharing of thoughts and insight is encouraged as well. Let’s make use of the comment box, people. Thanks.
FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE..
--AWESOME!
--AWESOME!
