Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Maria Virginia Sy

Devotees clutch their handkerchiefs as they wait for their turn to venerate Jesus Nazareno during the "Pahalik" at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on January 8, 2026. These handkerchiefs, wiped on the sacred image, are considered symbols of deep devotion and faith in the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

2026 TRASLACION

Jonathan Cellona

ABS-CBN News

<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]<br/><br/>MANILA — In the uneasy heat of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park Luneta on Thursday, January 8, Emilie Pasco, 41, and Linda Campos, 49, gripped their handkerchiefs as if they were holding onto life itself.</div><p>The yellow, maroon, and white fabrics printed with the image and prayers to Jesus Nazareno are humble, but to them, these are no longer just cloth.</p><p>Every touch is a sweet response, after being pressed against the weathered, blackened wood of the one they lovingly call Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.</p><p>The women are two faces among the hundreds of thousands who descended upon the park for the annual Pahalik.</p><p>This ritual, a cornerstone of the Nazareno devotion which mimics the scene of the grieving Mary after the crucifixion, takes on an often-grueling wait to kiss or touch the feet of the &quot;Poon&quot;.</p><p>For Emilie and Linda, the 16-hour vigil that began at 10 PM the night before was not a test of endurance, but an act of love.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SANCTUARY FOR THE BROKEN</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Emilie’s devotion was born from a moment of domestic crisis. Years ago, following a devastating argument with her husband, she found herself running not to a friend or a relative, but to the altar of Quiapo Church.</p><p>&quot;Nag-away kami ng asawa ko kaya napatakbo talaga ako sa Quiapo para humingi ng tulong sa Poon,&quot; she recalls. &quot;Mula noon, yearly na ako namamanata.&quot;</p><p>(My husband and I had fought, so I ran to Quiapo to ask the Lord for help. Since then, I’ve made this my yearly vow.)</p><p>What started as a plea for a broken marriage transformed into a lifelong commitment.</p><p>Usually, Emilie makes the pilgrimage alone. But this year, the weight of the request required a companion.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A MOTHER&#x27;S REQUEST</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Linda Campos was never one for the long, punishing treks of the Traslacion. She preferred to remain in the quiet pews of the church.</p><p>But this year, her motivation was closer to home—and more painful. Her daughter is currently battling a distressing skin illness.</p><p>&quot;Yearly po kasi ako lang ang pumupunta,&quot; Emilie explains. &quot;Ngayong taon, sabi niya [Linda] sa akin, &#x27;isama mo naman ako.&#x27; Kaya sabi ko, &#x27;isama kita.&#x27;&quot; (I usually come alone, but this year Linda asked me to bring her along.)</p><p>As the two women reached the statue, the imagery of the Pieta—the Mother Mary cradling the broken body of Christ—was not lost on them.</p><p>As they wiped the statue’s feet, they felt a mirroring of that gentle, maternal caress.</p><p>For Linda, the handkerchief she held was the bridge between a miracle and her daughter’s suffering skin.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>16 HOURS FOR A MOMENT&#x27;S PLEA</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Despite the exhaustion of a 16-hour wait, there is a nervous, joyful laughter between them, even through their tears.</p><p>&quot;Pag nahawakan mo ang kanyang paa, parang ang lahat ng problema mo nawawala,&quot; Linda says, her voice trembling.</p><p>&quot;Kahit lahat ng pagod ko—para lang maidampi ko ito sa Mahal na Nazareno, para idampi ko sa balat ng anak ko.&quot;</p><p>(When you touch His feet, it’s as if all your problems vanish. All the tiredness is worth it, just to press this cloth against the Nazarene, so I can press it against my daughter&#x27;s skin.)</p><p>The Pahalik is a sea of such stories. Some line up to ask for financial miracles or the restoration of broken families. Countless others will ask for the &quot;impossible.&quot; All fueled by their faith.</p><p>To the secular observer, a damp handkerchief may seem insignificant. But for Emilie and Linda, faith is a deeply personal, tactile experience.</p><p>As they walked away from the statue, the physical burden of the wait was replaced by a spiritual lightness.</p><p>&quot;Masaya na maginhawa,&quot; Linda concludes, a tear falling. &quot;Alam ko gagaling ang anak ko.&quot;</p><p>(I feel happy and relieved. I know my daughter will get well.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/If5HRxelP18?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;sttick=0autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>For devotees like Emilie and Linda, the 16-hour vigil that began at 10 p.m. the night before was not a test of endurance, but an act of love.</p>

For devotees like Emilie and Linda, the 16-hour vigil that began at 10 p.m. the night before was not a test of endurance, but an act of love.

With handkerchiefs of hope, devotees help each other endure 16-hour wait to touch Jesus Nazareno

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With handkerchiefs of hope, devotees help each other endure 16-hour wait to touch Jesus Nazareno

Jonathan Cellona,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2026 07:49 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 09, 2026 02:03 AM PHT

Read More:

Jesus Nazareno

Feast of Jesus Nazareno

Pahalik

Quirino Grandstand

Quiapo Church

Manila

faith

Catholic

Filipino Catholic

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