(Photo courtesy of FAYE ORELLANA)
For eight years, Ana Abutog has been a devoted follower of .
A housewife from Valenzuela City, she juggles family responsibilities with her unwavering faith.
鈥淒ati nga sumasama pa ko sa andas eh. Ngayon 鈥檇i na ko nakakasali kasi may bata. Walang magbabantay,鈥� Ana shared, recalling the years she joined other devotees pulling the ropes of the image during the Traslaci贸n.
(I used to join the procession of the andas before. Now, I can鈥檛 participate anymore because there鈥檚 a child.
No one is going to look after the kid. I have a child, and there鈥檚 no one to look after them.)
However, Ana said her participation in the Traslaci贸n was difficult.
鈥淒ati nakaangat pa ko sa andas. Meron ding mga pagkakataong naaapak-apakan po ako. Umuwi akong puro sugat,鈥� she said with a quiet determination.
(I used to climb up on the andas before. There were also times when I got stepped on. I went home with so many wounds.)
鈥淧ero wala naman (yun). Pag deboto ka talaga, balewala sa 鈥榶o yun lahat,鈥� she added.
(But it doesn鈥檛 matter. When you鈥檙e a devotee, all of that is nothing to you.)
Amid the sacrifices, Ana believes it was all worth it.
鈥淚ba talaga lalo na kapag ka nakahawak ka sa lubid or sa andas. Iba yung feeling talaga. Kasi pag nandoon ka naman, hindi lang ikaw. May tutulong sa 鈥榶o. Kapatiran eh,鈥� she explained.
(It鈥檚 genuinely different, especially when you are able to hold the rope or the andas. The feeling is really different. Because when you鈥檙e there, it鈥檚 not just you. Someone will help you. It鈥檚 a brotherhood.)
The camaraderie among the devotees and the spiritual connection she felt during those moments were incomparable, she observed.
Adapting to motherhood
Now a mother to two children, including a three-year-old who is just beginning to embrace the family鈥檚 devotion, Ana鈥檚 role has evolved.
Her youngest, too little to fully understand the rituals, already knows the Nazareno prayer by heart in his own words.
鈥淚to kasi (pointing to her three-year-old son), nagsisimula ng maging deboto. Kasi sa lugar namin, may maliit na Nazareno ring umiikot. Sasali-sali siya. Taga-hawak ng flag. Ganon,鈥� Ana proudly shared.
(This one is starting to become a devotee too. In our area, there鈥檚 a small Nazareno that goes around. He would join. Flag holder. That鈥檚 it.)
Despite her new responsibilities as a mother, Ana remains committed to her religious activities.
She commutes from Valenzuela City to Quiapo in Manila during major events, often bringing her children along.
鈥淎ko, basta may pagkakataong makapunta, pumupunta talaga ako dito,鈥� she said.
(For me, whenever I get the chance, I really come here.)
Her children are eager to accompany her to the church without her having to convince them.
Praying for miracles
Over the years, Ana has faced many ordeals.
When her youngest child was just three months old, he was diagnosed with low hemoglobin levels.
鈥淭alagang dasal kami nang dasal na sana magmilagro 鈥榶ung Nazareno. Ayon, awa ng Diyos, umokay na yung hemoglobin niya. Kaya naniniwala talaga ako kay Nazareno,鈥� she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
(We really prayed fervently, hoping for a miracle from the Nazareno. And with God鈥檚 mercy, his hemoglobin levels improved. That鈥檚 why I truly believe in the Nazareno.)
Even during the pandemic, Ana鈥檚 devotion did not waver.
Pregnant and adhering to strict health protocols, she still attended religious gatherings in Quiapo.
鈥淣ung pandemic, yung pila-pila bago makapasok, nandito rin talaga ako. Kasama ko yung asawa ko,鈥� she recalled.
(During the pandemic, despite the long queues before being allowed to go inside, I was really here. I was with my spouse.)
Experiencing blessings
Through financial struggles and other problems, Ana credits the Nazarene for providing the needs of her household.
鈥淢insan, walang wala na kami, tapos may biglang dumarating. Di sinasadya na nagkakaroon kami ng pera,鈥� she shared.
(Sometimes, we had nothing left, then suddenly something would come. Unexpectedly, we would have money.)
As she stood in the crowded streets of Quiapo once again this year, Ana reflected on her journey as a devotee.
While she no longer climbs the andas, her belief remains as steadfast as ever.
鈥淧ag nakahawak ka sa andas, worth it lahat ng pagod,鈥� she said with conviction.
(It is all worth it once you鈥檙e able to hold the andas.)
For Ana, the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno is more than just a celebration of an icon.
It is her source of hope and strength.
Her unwavering faith sustains her through life鈥檚 trials.
Ana continues to find blessings, not just for herself, but for her whole family.