Traslacion 2017: Post Event Report on the Philippines' Biggest Religious Event

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines continue to hold the Traslacion eventhough there are so many reasons why it sends the wrong lessons to our people, especially the youth. The January 9 procession reenacts the image's Traslación (literally, "transfer") in 1787, or solemn relocation to the Minor Basilica from its original shrine in what is now Rizal Park.

A Spaniards' galleon was partly burned wherein the more than life size (sculpture) image of Jesus Christ of Nazarene was on board. Miraculously, the sculpture suffered lesser damage but has changed its original color into black. That was the original story about the "Black Nazarene."

CBCP Public Affairs Executive Secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano says the statue of the Black Nazarene was brough to the Philippines in the 17th century, but the devotion to statue only started in the 1950s. He says some of the sacrifices devotees go through during the Traslacion are part of the "purification process" they identify with on a personal level.

Less in number but not in fervor. There was a substantial drop in the number of devotees for this year's Traslacion. Still, tens of thousands make a vow – or panata – to take part in the most massive display of Catholic faith in the Philippines. This tradition is distinctly Filipino and is not part of the basic traditions of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. The people's unwavering devotion to the Black Nazarene is a tedious and lengthy task with the Traslacion covering a 6.9-kilometer route starting from the Quirino Grandstand and ending at the Quiapo Church.

Devotees jostle for a chance to get near the Black Nazarene. The cross-bearing statue is believed to have healing powers, in the hope that the touching of towels would bless them and heal their illnesses. Helping pull the ropes of the carriage also has some sort of significance as the sacrifice is expected to bear bountiful rewards.

Anthony Engelen Prefers Step-by-Step Process in Securing Title Shot

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mixed martial arts standout Anthony Engelen (5-2) acknowledges that there will be no shortcuts to achieving his dream of becoming a world titleholder in ONE Championship.

Engelen stressed that he is not in a hurry and would rather take the long road to a championship crack than prematurely contend for the gold-plated strap.

According to Engelen, there are certain aspects of his overall game that he has to improve and keep an eye on before getting an opportunity to vie for the coveted ONE Featherweight World Championship belt.

“I would like to remind myself to keep growing as a fighter. I always try to watch all my fights and constantly evaluate myself. I want to improve in the things that I was not happy about and work harder on it every time,” he said.

The 31-year-old Dutch Indonesian fighter believes that he has to prove himself worthy of a title shot as ONE Championship’s featherweight bracket has a long list of contender.

ONE Championship has a stacked featherweight division, which has been often described as a shark tank.

Vaughn Donayre Expects ‘Win-Hungry’ Vincent Latoel at One: Quest for Power

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Filipino fighter Vaughn “The Spawn” Donayre is not taking Vincent Latoel lightly as he expects his Dutch-Indonesian opponent to have a must-win mentality when they square off against each other on the undercard of ONE: QUEST FOR POWER in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 January.

Latoel, a highly-decorated kickboxer from Deventer, Netherlands, aims to snap his two-fight losing skid at the expense of Donayre.

The 37-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran stumbled in two of his ONE Championship outings in 2016, yielding to former ONE Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku in February before suffering the same fate at the hands of Filipino standout Edward Kelly last August.

According to Donayre, it is a no-brainer that Latoel is driven to put himself back on the winning track.

“It’s given that he wants to win because he lost two of his fights in 2016. I expect him to be hungry for that win,” he said.

Even though he has a win-hungry foe in front of him on fight night, Donayre is not allowing Latoel to ruin his goal of having his hand raised in triumph.