Catholic devotees climbed on the carriage carrying the replica of Jesus Nazarene during Traslacion in Manila on January 1, 2025. Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Millions of Catholic devotees of the centuries-old image of the Jesus Nazareno, believed to have healing and wish-fulfillment powers, swarmed the streets of Manila once again for the annual Traslacion.

For many pilgrims, part of the annual festivities is to fulfill their “panata” or religious vow. The “panata” is a personal one, ranging from serving food to others walking the Traslacion or trooping to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno all the way to the riskier ones — climbing the andas or carriage which carries the image or holding the 50-meter-long rope that pulls it.

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Fulfilling one’s “panata” for the Nazareno, however, has been proven dangerous. As the procession grew in popularity, so did the number of people who would troop to Manila to partake in the event. Organizers have long put measures to deter devotees from climbing the andas.

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For life-long devotees like Raymart Reyes, it’s tough to explain why, like many others, he puts himself at risk to fulfill his “panata.”

“Sinasapuso na lang namin. Kung 'di nila kami maintindihan okay lang naman. Tanggap namin, kaya namin ialay namin buhay sa Nazareno. May mga bagay na hiniling na 'di natupad pero mas maraming natupad na 'di ko naman hiniling kaya mahalaga siya sa akin," he said.

For Jeric San Antonio, who inherited his “panata” from his grandfather and father, the difficulty of fulfilling the vow to go near the carriage is part of the “sacrifice.”

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“Mahirap na masarap kasi ganito siksikin, nagkakasakitan pero at the same time, ito 'yung napi-feel namin na kagalakan sa puso namin bilang Katoliko sa pamamanata namin sa Nazareno," the devotee said.

For many devotees, nothing can deter them from fulfilling their personal promise to the Jesus Nazareno even if it means risking their lives and limbs.

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