The Black Nazarene: History, Devotion, and a Tradition That Moves a Nation

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Every January, Manila transforms. Streets fill with barefoot devotees, yellow and maroon banners rise above the crowds, and the familiar rhythm of prayer echoes not only in Quiapo but even across the archipelago. The Feast of the Black Nazarene, reverently called Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno by his devotees, is more than a religious event.  It is a cultural phenomenon that reveals how faith, identity, and collective memory continue to shape Filipino life.

The Black Nazarene is a representation of a dark-skinned Christ carrying His cross on the right shoulder, wearing a maroon robe. He looks up towards heaven with a pained expression on His face.

The story of the Black Nazarene traces back to 1606, when Augustinian Recollect missionaries brought a life-sized image of Christ carrying the cross from Mexico to Manila. Carved from dark mesquite wood, the image’s color has long sparked myths. One popular belief I heard as a child was that the reason for the dark color of the image was that during its trip from Mexico to Manila, the ship it was on caught fire, and the image was burned, but only on the surface. People considered this a miracle. Later on, I learned that its origins are simpler: the wood it was made from itself was naturally dark.

The image quickly became a major focus of devotion from its first home in Bagumbayan to its later transfer to Intramuros.  In the 1700s, it found its permanent home in Quiapo Church, where it later on survived fires, earthquakes, and even the devastation of World War II. For the devotees, its survival through these almost catastrophic events reinforced their belief that the image is miraculous.

Over the centuries, the Black Nazarene has drawn people from every corner of the country: workers, students, vendors, professionals, families, and pilgrims who carry stories of struggle and hope. The church has become a sanctuary for those seeking healing, guidance, or simply a moment of contemplative surrender to the Poong Nazareno.

The heart of the devotion to the Poong Nazareno is the annual Traslación, held on January 9. This reenactment of the historic transfer of the image from Intramuros to Quiapo took shape at the 400th anniversary of the image in 2006, and has grown into the largest yearly expression of Catholic devotion in the Philippines.  I remember that before that time, the procession was only around the Quiapo district and its environs.  I even had an experience when I was in the area during the procession when there was a rush of people wanting to get near the Nazareno.  I had to take cover along with other people inside a bakery; otherwise, we would be crushed by the surge of devotees.

Millions of devotees join the procession each year, many walking barefoot as an act of humility and solidarity with Christ’s suffering. Others reach for the ropes of the andas, a wheeled platform heavily adorned with flowers and lights bearing the image, and pulled by devotees.  They believe that even the slightest touch of the ropes can bring healing or protection.

Even as I write this post, the celebration is already underway, and crowds are already gathering at the Luneta Park for Masses and other devotional activities.  There is even a nine-day novena prayer in Tagalog available from the Hallow app, which I pray after the Angelus. The novena includes the hymn Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, composed by National Artist of the Philippines, Lucio San Pedro, to honor the image.

from hallow.com

The Pahalik, which takes place a day before the Traslación, is an act of devotion where pilgrims and devotees, some coming from far provinces, line up to touch, kiss, wipe with a handkerchief, or just pray before the life-sized statue of the Black Nazarene.   The scale of participation, often reaching millions, reflects not only religious fervor but also the deep cultural roots of this tradition. Devotees would line up for hours, yet they patiently wait and consider this part of their sacrifice and an expression of their faith.

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The enduring devotion to the Black Nazarene reveals something essential about Filipino spirituality: faith is not a passive act. It is embodied, communal, and resilient. Some experts theorize that the Poon’s dark complexion forms a rich connection to the devotees.  Here is a Christ who looks familiar, who feels close, who understands the weight of human suffering.

In a country shaped by colonial history, natural disasters, and social challenges, the Black Nazarene stands as a symbol of perseverance. Every year, the Feast acts as a reminder that hope is not abstract; it is lived, carried, and shared.

From Our Family to Yours, A Happy and Blessed New Year

 

New Year’s Eve in the Philippines is Noisy, Joyful, and Delicious

New Year’s Eve in the Philippines is more than just a countdown.  It is steeped with traditions that are a vibrant blend of customs bringing luck, abundance, and joy, giving our celebrations a magical feel. Many of these practices, while rooted in Filipino culture, combine Spanish and Chinese influences with local beliefs, making our celebrations wonderfully unique!

For some people, wearing something printed with polka dots is a must on New Year’s Eve, as the round shapes symbolize coins and wealth, attracting prosperity in the coming year.  Our elders tell us never to welcome the new year with our pockets and wallets empty, or else they will be empty the whole year.  So, I make sure to put some coins in my pocket and give them a good jingle when the clock strikes midnight.  It is said to attract wealth and prosperity, and I think it raises the expression ringing in the new year to the next level.  Speaking of quirky traditions, my aunt takes it up a notch. She places coins on every step of her staircase, then climbs up, collecting them one by one as the new year begins.  This, according to her, would encourage wealth to enter and stay in their home.

Filipino New Year celebration is also famously loud. Families bang pots and pans, toot torotot (party horns), and watch light fireworks. It’s rooted in the belief that loud sounds scare away bad spirits and invite good luck for the year ahead.

Interestingly, this tradition has a legendary origin tied to Chinese folklore, which I found on this website. Long ago, a fearsome sea monster named Nian would emerge every New Year’s Eve to terrorize villages. People were desperate until they discovered Nian’s two weaknesses: the color red and loud noises. So, one year, villagers decorated their homes in red and made as much racket as possible. It worked! Nian fled, and peace returned. Ever since, making noise during the New Year has been a symbol of protection and celebration, a practice that traveled across cultures and found a joyful home in Filipino festivities.

Then there’s Media Noche, the midnight feast that’s the heart of the celebration. It’s all about abundance and togetherness. Families go all out, loading the table with delicious dishes because starting the year with plenty is supposed to invite more plenty.  Maybe that’s why everyone lost their minds when a certain official said ₱500 is enough for Media Noche. 

Each item on the table has its own meaning and symbolism.  Native sweet delicacies or kakanin symbolize unity and stronger family ties, as their stickiness represents the closeness of family members.  For others, serving and eating kakanin will bring good luck and prosperity that stays with the family throughout the year.  Serving and eating noodles like pancit during the feast ensures long life and good health.  

Following the significance of round things as symbols of wealth and prosperity, every table should have round fruits on it during media noche.  But here’s a twist: not all round fruits make the cut. Those with black seeds are often avoided because black is associated with bad luck and mourning.

Now, let’s talk about what not to serve. Crabs? Nope.  They move sideways, and we want progress, not detours. Winged fowls like chicken? Also a no-go, because good fortune might just fly away. A colleague once reminded me about the saying, “isang kahig, isang tuka” (one scratch, one peck), which suggests living hand-to-mouth, definitely not what we want for the new year!

Let’s not forget other Filipino beliefs, like cleaning the entire house before the new year to release all the negative energy of the ending year, and throwing all doors and windows wide open to let good luck come rushing in.  Hopefully, the smoke from the firecrackers and other pyrotechnics outside does not enter our house and ruin our celebrations.  Rice containers and water containers should be full so that the family never runs out of essentials and stays financially stable throughout the year. 

When we were kids, our elders would tell us to jump as high as we could at midnight to grow taller and reach our dreams faster.  I actually did this for several years, even leaping from my bed just for extra height, and guaranteeing growth in the coming year.

One should also hold off on spending money on January 1! Many Filipinos believe that if you open your wallet on the first day of the year, cash will keep flowing out for the rest of the year. So keep those coins jingling in your pocket, but let them stay put, because we all want abundance, not an empty purse!

These beloved Filipino traditions keep us connected, remind us of our roots, and fill our hearts with positivity. As these traditions fill our homes with laughter, warmth, and hope, let’s open our hearts wide to welcome the new year together.  While these traditions are fun and meaningful to follow, let us remember that it is even more important to keep our faith in God strong throughout the year, putting our trust in Him and allowing Him to guide us in all that we do.

May the spirit of abundance and togetherness flourish in your life, and may every day ahead bring you joy, good health, and boundless opportunities. Here’s to cherished memories around the Media Noche table, to coins jingling with promise, and to dreams that grow taller with every leap at midnight. From my family to yours, have a blessed New Year overflowing with love and happiness. Maligayang Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

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Was Jesus really born on December 25?

At Mass this morning, our Parish Priest said that while billions celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25, the truth is, historians and theologians have debated this for centuries and still do today. The division has been so intense that the true meaning of the day was often lost and forgotten.

Our Priest pointed out that most who question the date look at the Gospel of Luke, which mentions shepherds watching their flocks at night when Jesus was born. This scenario seems unlikely during the cold winter months in Judea. Some scholars use this detail to suggest that Christ may have been born during the spring or autumn, or during the lambing season when shepherds would typically be in the fields. 

The Roman census mentioned in the Gospel of Luke is believed to have been conducted during milder seasons, which lends support to this theory. However, various studies of historical records indicate that the census referred to in the Gospel did not occur until 6 BCE, two years after Herod died in 4 BCE. Some scholars suggest that there may have been another census at that time, as recorded by Luke, which has since been lost to history.

Some sectors contend that the choice of December 25 may have been influenced by cultural and religious factors rather than historical accuracy. The date coincided with the celebration of Roman pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and the winter solstice, honoring the "Unconquered Sun." Early Christians may have adopted this date to provide a Christian alternative to these popular festivities, symbolizing Jesus as the "Light of the World."

To further complicate matters, in the Eastern Christian traditions, many Orthodox communities following the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7 under the Gregorian calendar, while some select January 6 or the Epiphany as the feast of Christ’s birth. These differences reflect calendar reforms and liturgical emphases rather than certainty about a historical date, reinforcing that the early church did not think of a universally fixed birthday.

The reverend concluded that Christians should focus on the true meaning of Christ’s birth. The Nativity is about God with us, the Incarnation. It’s a story of humility: the eternal Word born in a manger, identifying with the poor and marginalized who are mostly unseen even during His time. It is about one word: love.

As for me, whether Jesus was born in December, spring, or autumn, the heart of Christmas is God with us. It’s about light overcoming darkness, hope breaking into a world of fear and inequality. The Nativity invites shepherds and scholars alike into a message of peace, love, and redemption.

Merry Christmas 2025