Feast of the Black Nazarene

Viva Senor Nazareno!

January 9 is the feast of the Black Nazarene, and this is when the biggest procession in the Philippines happen, the procession where the image of the Black Nazarene is paraded in various streets of Manila. This year the procession started at the Quirino grandstand in Luneta.

 This is the first time that I am documenting by photographs one of the religious events of the Philippines.  The first photo above was a shot of the silkscreen that an enterprising man is using to print the image of the Nazarene on T-shirts right on the sidewalk.

Next photos would tell many stories of the procession.

 The image of the Black Nazarene is expected to be at Quiapo church early in the evening yet, but even as early as noon time, Quezon boulevard was already a sea of devotees and merchants.

 The next photos were taken atop a waiting shed near the Metropolitan theater along P Burgos street. I was at the wrong side because the face of the Nazarene was blocked by escorts and the cross.




 
The photogs on the other side are at a better vantage point.

I admire the courage of these two women who also tried their best to climb the Nazarene's carriage just to be able to wipe their towels on the image.

Miss Earth Philippines 2010

The final selection and coronation for Miss Earth Philippines was held at the Manila Ocean Park. The winner represented the country to the Miss Earth Beauty pageant held for the first time outside the country in Vietnam.

The event was hosted by Karla Henry, and Ginger Conejero who were former Miss Earth contestant beauties themselves, with Miss Henry actually bagging the crown last 2008.


A beauty from Infanta, Quezon, Psyche Resus, won the crown.

A strong contender was a beauty from Pandan, Antique. She's the daughter of proud parents who were seated beside me. She was crowned Miss Philippines Water.

And finally, the top five.