I made a post about this a week ago but for some reason it was published even if it was still a draft. I was supposed to just edit it then post it, but I got frustrated with it because I didn’t feel inspired. So I just deleted. But now, I feel like I should just post it.
So my Photojourn classmates and I went to Quiapo two Sundays ago to cover the Black Nazarene. For those who don’t know what that is, check this out.
A top shot from the Jollibee restaurant we retreated to when it started raining (above).
I couldn’t resist doing a bokeh shot. I wasn’t feeling at all creative or inspired that day, so I decided to just go with the classic, unimaginative, and I must say, lazy effect (above).
The crowd was just…. wow (below).
It was a bit of a hassle especially when it started raining. There were so many people in the Quiapo church and our group got separated. The group I was with decided to buy rain coats. I know how stupid it looks, but we wore those rain coats like a boss.
I’ll try to show you the picture when my classmate posts.
Anyway, we headed for Quirino Grand Stand after exhausting all our creativity in Quiapo church (below).
Saw a couple of people preparing for the procession the next day (below).
No, that woman is not crazy. She was just covering herself with that plastic-foil-looking thing because it was raining, and I just happened to take her photo as she yawned (above).
Just a couple of media people preparing for the coverage for the next day (below).
It’s cool how you can kinda see the droplets of rain falling. Just noticed it now, haha! (below)
Saw a couple of people setting up tents in the open field in front of the grand stand. I was so amazed (below).
This girl started packing up her stuff and moving them a bit closer to the grand stand. I don’t know how much difference it made though (below).
There were also a lot of people selling handkerchiefs for people to rub on the Black Nazarene (below).
I guess this man couldn’t pick which one to buy (above).
They were selling balls, balloons and kites too. I don’t know why. Maybe so that the kids could occupy themselves while their parents risked their lives (above).
I was amused with this man. I’m sure he was a devotee too. I was really hoping that he wouldn’t be trampled on in the stampede that was sure to take place the next day (above).
This was the line of people who wanted to touch the feet of the Black Nazarene, in hopes that it would heal them from their sicknesses and forgive them of their sins (above).
This marshall didn’t seem too amused (above).
One man was even interviewed by TV 5. The reporter asked him why he was lining up, where he came from and how long he has taking part in this practice. I forgot what his exact answers were, but I do remember him saying that he came from a far province and that he has been doing this regularly for the past years (above).
I loved the look of this man. He was just so photogenic, I couldn’t help but take his picture (above).
He even smiled at me later on as walked past me towards the grand stand (above).
More marshalls (below).
I forgot why the little boy was doing that (below).
Jiru, one of the upper batch men, saw me taking a picture of the oil on the wet ground. He told me what it was called but I forgot… (below).
In the end, we found out that we didn’t have to cover the event anymore because of the terrorist threat. Read more about it here and here.
I didn’t regret anything though. It was a great bonding experience with my classmates, all of whom are from the upper batch (at least those that I went with). It was tiring, but still worth it. I made a lot of new friends :)
