Last January 09, 2012 amidst the threat of terrorist attack, Filipino people proved to the world their strong and indestructible faith. Millions of Filipino people cluster together to again pay homage to the Black Nazarene.
Many was expecting that this year’s feast would attract less devotees because of the rumors of terrorist attack, however, Filipino people obviously defied this threat. Devotees this year was even bigger than last year’s.
Why? Is it because Filipinos find faith as the only answer to their problems? Is it because, Filipinos has no one to turn to but God? Or on a political tone, is it because, they no longer believe that government officials can still uplift them from where they are right now? I believe yes.
Most devotees are obviously poor, for they were there, hoping for something in return. The sick are hoping to be healed, hungry are praying for food, and hopeless are hoping for miracles to happen. This is because; government wasn’t able to provide for the people. Government wasn’t able to fill their role of uplifting the lives of the poor.
Most of the devotees of the Black Nazarene connect their current situation of poverty and sufferings to the hardships experienced by Jesus. Moreover, this image has survived a burning ship upon its arrival from Mexico, that made its complexion turned to black. And with that, Black Nazarene has truly gained enormous mass appeal.
I believe that this occurrence is nothing but normal. Filipino people are known in history having a passionate religious belief, and this is something to expect for. We believe in God more than anything else.
Filipino people were able to prove their sense of unity not just in religious times like this, but also in times of great need for change. Filipinos survived People Power I and II, and after another remarkable event, everyone could still expect that Filipino people are still ready to go out on the streets, stand together as one and fight against anything.
For the moment, I believe that it is not the whole government or the particular administration to be alarmed but the culprits not just of today but also of yesterday.
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