The Hijos del Nazareno have been the guardians of the image of the Jesus Nazareno during the annual Traslacion.
Some of its members shared how their devotion changed their lives in Dano Tingcungco’s Monday report on “Saksi.”
Eduardo Sevilla said his life would be different if he had not met Jesus Nazareno.
“Kung ‘di ako napasama sa ganito, baka… ewan ko po ah, kung nasaan ako ngayon. Baka po wala na ako talaga,” said Sevilla, who 78 years old and one of the oldest Hijos.
(If I did not join here, maybe I wouldn’t be around anymore.)
Since he was a child, Sevilla has been dealing with health issues, including rheumatism and difficulty breathing.
He was encouraged to join the group when he was 19 years old during a procession in Santo Cristo San Juan, where he saw people trying to get close to the image of Jesus Nazareno.
Since then, Sevilla has been praying for his health and joined the Balangay, or the group of devotees, until he became a member of Hijos del Nazareno.
It took Sevilla almost 30 years before he was free from his health issues.
“Panalangin ko hangga’t buhay ako Sa’yo ako. Hangga’t kaya ng katawan ko (I prayed that my life is Yours, as long as I can take it),” he said.
One of the youngest Hijos is 14-year-old Edrian, who started as a sacristan and was invited to join the Traslacion by his friends.
He said he joined initially for the clout and never felt Jesus’ presence.
However, in January 2024, Edrian’s father was brought to the hospital and had complications due to diabetes. His family then faced financial problems.
At the time, 12-year-old Edrian didn’t know what to do when he saw a Facebook post about Quiapo Church.
He has received a towel, which was a proof of his dedication to service after serving for 60 hours.
“’Di na po ito matatapos hanggang mawala na ako. Kasi mga lolo, lola ko sinusuportahan ako dito (I will serve until I die because by grandparents also support this),” Edrian said.
“Sa mga bagitong mamamasan, kung ano’ng inumpisahan niyo tapusin niyo hangga’t kaya ng katawan… kasi dinanas ko na ‘yan,” Sevilla said.
(To the young Hijos, finish what you started as long as you can do it, because I also experienced that.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
