Nothing Short of a Miracle

NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE. When I got to Quiapo, I heard that the Andas was already at Jones Bridge. That was about 4:30 pm. I headed for the Quiapo Church, planning to station myself along Palanca St. just below Quezon Bridge as I've been doing for the past few years, and hoping to get a very good shot of the Black Nazarene. However, the crowd was just too much that I feared I might faint because of the heat. So I retreated and resigned myself to the fact that this year I won't be able to photograph the Black Nazarene.

I decided to just walk through the side streets and take photos of people. But then at around 5:15 I don't know what got into me, I took the footbridge to the other side and walked towards Quezon Bridge, not knowing that the Andas had just passed and was making its way towards Arlegui. When I heard people yelling "Viva Senyor" and started waving their white hankies and towels, that was the only time I caught sight of the Andas navigating its way to Arlegui. I immediately positioned myself to take photos and, wonder of wonders, no one was within a foot or two from me, thus enabling me to take several shots of the Black Nazarene without being nudged or bumped by people. It was almost effortless. And the best thing was, it stopped and slightly turned to its left (when it was supposed to turn right to Arlegui) that it was positioned to face me directly.

Viva Senyor!