Reminiscing NPJN Traslacion 2015

The Nazareno approaching San Sebastian Church for the "Dungaw".

Catching up for the "Dungaw" was a last minute decision. Unlike last year, when January 9 fell on a Thursday (my day off), this year it was a Friday. So after having dinner with a friend after work, we hurried back home to prepare our gears for the procession. The pace was slow compared to 2014 so there was a chance for us to witness the "Dungaw". Revived in 2014, the "Dungaw" was done when the Nazareno passes by Plaza del Carmen and the Virgen del Carmen looks at her Son, like from a window, hence the term "dungaw".

Viva! Viva! Viva!

We arrived at Plaza del Carmen at around 11:30 in the evening. The Señor was about two or three blocks away so a good one hour wait was just right. While waiting for the Señor,  we walked around and look for our friends. There was Erico, Kel, Dennis, Benok, Warren, JM, Cho and others. 

"Dungaw"

About half an hour past midnight, there was a strong feeling that the Nazareno was near and he was. Suddenly, a wave of humanity pushed us to the sides. We also pushed to avoid being crushed by the pressure. That wave of humanity was part and parcel of the ocean of faith and devotion. Then the liturgical rites of the Dungaw began. The faithful were invited to silence and prayer. The Gospel was read, followed by prayer intentions. For once in what is called the "rowdiest" procession, came a moment of silence, discipline and unity. It gave me goosebumps. The King and Queen of Quiapo, meeting each other in the darkness of the night. Our Lord and His Mother meeting each other, assuring us of their presence not only in the procession but also in our life journey. 

The Nazareno turning left to Bilibid Viejo

Sta. Maria Town Fiesta 2015

The church facade.

The town of Santa Maria, Bulacan, celebrates its feast day every first Thursday of February (Thursday immediately after February 2). It's a moveable feast. 

I was happy and blessed to be with friends and religious enthusiasts-photographers Ericzon, Dan Raphael, James and Gabriel. There was a Concelebrated Mass at ten in the morning presided by His Excellency, Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr., D.D. After the Mass was the procession. Amidst the intense heat was also the intense devotion of her faithful. It was a "homecoming" for me. Sta. Maria is also my hometown. This is my second chance of celebrating the fiesta. When I was growing up, whenever Mama and I would go to Santa Maria, I would ask her to take me to the church. Being there again brings back memories as I make new ones with my friends. 

The church interior.

Here are other photos:

The original image.

The procession as it enters church grounds.

The replica image for the procession.

Our Lady of Fatima visits Radio Veritas

I was blessed to have a very close encounter with the International Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima. She visited the Radio Veritas Chapel yesterday, February 24.

The faithful praying to Our Lady

I rushed to the place right after work. I prayed that I could arrive on time before she leaves at 9:00 in the evening. My prayer was answered and I was already there at 8:15 p.m. To my surprise, it was "jampacked" with people, including the elderly who wanted to have a glimpse of her. Mostly were students and employees like me. The lobby was so full that it felt hot. I stood near a fan and prepared my camera. The queue was so long that I almost lost hope of seeing her. It seemed as if we all have to wait for her to go down and that's it. Yet, Our Lady intervened and when it was fifteen minutes from her schedule departure, we were slowly allowed to go up to the Chapel. They will wait for everyone before the Pilgrim Image leaves. 

It was 9:15 p.m. when finally I saw her. I whispered my prayers to her. We couldn't touch her, not even the cloth she was wearing. Yet seeing her that close, with her eyes looking back at yours, was really something. You could feel her maternal love and affection. She is our Mother. We are her children.

I asked for her permission to take pictures. The result was amazing! She "looked at the camera". I will never forget this shot I have of her. Thank you, Mama Mary! Viva!

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Hi!

Welcome to my blog! I'm Lakwatserong Deboto. "Lakwatsa" means "to wander". I'm the "Wandering Devotee". I've been around for quite some time but became too busy to write. Now I'm back... hopefully for good. 

I am Angelo Mangahas, and I love to travel and take photos of different places and events, most especially churches and religious celebrations in and around Metro Manila. There's always a story behind every shoot and that's what I would love to share with all of you. 

Please pray for me as I pray for you. May Jesus, with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, guide and sustain me in my journeys. So, I hope you'll be one with me in my travels as I share with you no ordinary stories. This is our faith. This is our story.