BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Devotees of the Black Nazarene in Bataan are almost done with their preparations Monday for the “pahalik” (kiss) and procession of the image on Tuesday.
Family and friends of Jimmy Mangalindan, a local radio broadcaster, have been busy preparing the small towels and candles given by donors, for distribution to procession participants.
The “andas” or carriage has been fixed and cleaned while the image was dressed in a new garment.
Mangalindan, owner of the Black Nazarene image, said they have been conducting the celebration for seven years now.
“The number of devotees in Bataan is growing every year and they chose to hold their devotion in Balanga finding it hard to go to Quiapo and the Quirino Grandstand in Manila,” he said.
There will be “pahalik” of the image at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Plaza Mayor in Balanga and Holy Mass at 5:15 p.m. at the Saint Joseph Cathedral, followed by the procession around the city.
“This year’s theme of the celebration is ‘Kapayapaan sa Sandaigdigan para sa may Karamdaman at Kahilingan (World peace for the sick and petitioners),’” he added. (PNA)
