The Feast of the Black Nazarene every January 9 of the year is certainly one of the largest and most significant religious celebrations in the Philippines, with hundreds and thousands of devotees from different parts of the archipelago attending the annual traslacion, or the commemoration of the transfer of the image from its initial cradle in Intramuros to its present shrine in Quiapo.

However, over the years, not only ordinary people have taken part in the event, but also several well-known personalities from the entertainment industries who are proud devotees of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno. One of them is Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin, who has been participating in the procession of the blessed image since 2007, as he asked for his guidance and blessing in his up-and-coming acting career at the time. 

And Poong Hesus Nazareno indeed granted the desire of his heart, as he didn’t only score a slew of projects, but he also received blessings and recognitions beginning that year. Now, he has already cemented his mark in the industry as one of the most influential and most important local stars. Thus, as his way of giving back to the blessings that Poong Nazareno has bestowed upon him over the years, Coco has made it a point to help his colleagues, especially those whose careers have already dwindled, through the projects that he helms and stars in. 

This is exactly what he has been doing in the formidable ABS-CBN Studios primetime series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” in which he’s able to exhibit his devotion to the Black Nazarene through his well-loved character Tanggol, whose real name is Hesus Nazareno Dimaguiba. 

As we reflect on the passion, sacrifice, and unconditional love of Jesus Christ for mankind this Holy Week, which the holy image represents, let us revisit the scenes from the teleserye that showed Tanggol professing his devotion to Him through his solemn prayers in this edition of Kapamilya Toplist. 

Many faithful people can actually relate to the prayer of Tanggol in one of his earliest scenes inside the Quiapo Church, which was, “Panginoong Nazareno, marami po kaming nananalangin at umaasa po sa Inyo dito sa Quiapo; naghahangad na bigyan N’yo po kami ng himala, ng maayos na buhay. Hinihiling po namin na patawarin N’yo po kami sa lahat ng aming mga kasalanan. Alam ko pong sinusubukan N’yo kami sa araw-araw upang maging matatag kami. Dinadalangin po namin na ilayo N’yo po kami sa lahat ng tukso at kapahamakan. Kayo na po sana ang bahala sa amin.”

He also went on to prove that we do not need to be at the church to talk to God, as he continued to pray and ask for his divine intervention in everything that he and his friends were going through, most especially when he and his friends got incarcerated at the National Correctional Facility (NCF) and they started taking on perilous missions as hired killers of the jail administrators, alongside their “kakosa” Bubbles (Ivana Alawi). Tanggol fervently prayed for forgiveness for all his transgressions, for his safety at all times, and for divine guidance for him to live a brand-new life. 

Even though his greatest love, Mokang (Lovi Poe), was taken away from him after she was unintentionally killed by Olga (Irma Adlawan) in the midst of his bloody encounter with Ramon (Christopher de Leon), along with the other tragedies that happened in his life, Tanggol’s devotion to Poong Nazareno has remained steadfast. 

Thus, when he got legally emancipated, Tanggol’s first destination on the very day of his release was the Quiapo Church, as he expressed his gratitude for the unexpected blessing that he received and his wish for Him to finally achieve his ultimate aspiration of living a renewed life through the guidance of Jesus Christ. It was also to Poong Nazareno whom he sought help for his mother, Marites (Cherry Pie Picache), Lola Tindeng (Charo Santos), and his adoptive father, Rigor (John Estrada), as the intense war between them erupted. 

Tanggol maybe infamous in Quiapo as a troublemaker and has already been involved in a slew of crimes that include stealing, killing people, and drug dealing, but we still definitely cannot discount the fact how admirable his deep devotion is to the Black Nazarene is, which he got from his Lola Tindeng and Marites, who were both devotees, too. Besides, it’s also commendable how, despite of his plight, he never forgets to include other people in his prayers, especially the ones close to his heart.

May we all be like Tanggol when it comes to his unwavering faith in God—that regardless of what we go through in life, we will continue to put our trust in Him.