Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)

Quiapo Church in Manila holds a special place in our hearts. My late mother-in-law, Mama De was a Black Nazarene devotee and also served at Quiapo Church. She went there everyday so D practically grew up there.    

On my part, my late Mom was a devotee of the Sacred Heart. It is a specific devotion that involves attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist for nine consecutive First Fridays of the month. It is a tradition which I still honor to this day. Today being the first Friday of March, I will hear mass later.

Every Fridays, Mommy and I would hear mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta. Mesa which was just one jeepney ride away from our residence in Mandaluyong near Maysilo Circle. When I was already studying at UST, Mommy and I would go to Quiapo Church to hear mass during First Fridays.

I don't remember my schedule at UST but somehow I was free during Fridays. We took the Boni - Stop n Shop jeepney route, alighted at Stop n Shop (Sta. Mesa) then transferred to any jeepneys going to Quiapo. On Quezon Boulevard, we would take the underpass and get out at Plaza Miranda which is right in front of the Church. 

Back then (the late 1980s - early 1990s), it was quite an 'adventure' to get to Quiapo. Best option is to commute because of traffic and parking spaces were far and few between. The whole area was really crowded with vendors, parishioners and commuters. The streets were dark and dirty. It wasn't safe as snatchers were everywhere. If you were going to Quiapo, it is best to 'dress down', not wear any flashy jewellery and just bring the basics like a small handbag with an abaniko fan and hankies because it was really warm and humid.

Nowadays, the place has cleaned up well, thankfully. The underpass is now airconditioned. The streets are well lighted, vendors are no longer allowed to sell their wares on the streets. There is quite an improvement, and hopefully the city government will be able to sustain and maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of Quiapo. After all, "orderliness is holiness" as the saying goes. 

After our Sta. Cruz and Binondo sojourn, we decided to drop by Quiapo Church so we could hear the 5:00 PM mass. It was a nostalgic and special moment for us as it brought back so much fond memories of our Moms, who we both miss so much. A rare quality bonding time together and a nice way to cap a long December day.