By Joseph Almer Pedrajas Every devotee of the Black Nazarene is a story of hope, healing, and gratitude whose trust and faith in God increased after every answered prayer and a life-changing experience. Among those who have kept the faith is 72-year-old Perlita Jimenez, who joined thousands of believers Wednesday and endured the long line for the ”Pahalik,” (touching and kissing of the image). Perlita Jimenez, 72, poses for a photo with her family at the Quirino Grandstand Wednesday. She has been a devotee of the Black Nazarene since she was 18 when her month-long fever was healed after “seeking Him.” (Joseph Almer Pedrajas / MANILA BULLETIN) Perlita said she started her devotion to the Black Nazarene after a month-long, recurring fever when she was 18 suddenly disappeared after praying to Him. “I was suffering a month-long, recurring fever when I dreamed of him: a Jesus Christ who was wearing long red gown and with thorns as his crown,” Perlita told Manila Bulletin in Filipino. “He was talking to me and calling me ‘Ineng! Ineng!’ for 10 times. After that, I woke up.” “Then I told my sister, who then brought me to Quiapo," she added. "Coincidentally, it was the first Friday of the month – at a time a monthly mass for the Black Nazarene was said." Perlita remembered that she "cried and kneeled down" after seeing the image and asked, ‘What do you want from me for I would oblige?’” “After that, I was immediately healed. My fever was gone,” she exclaimed. For over 50 years now, Perlita says she has never missed a chance to go to Quiapo church every first Friday of the month and during the Holy Week to pay her respects to the Black Nazarene. She has also inspired her 12-year-old granddaughter, Yummie, after the latter was healed after experiencing convulsions when she was four. “It’s because of ‘Nanay’ that I also believe in Him (Black Nazarene). Like her, I was healed,” Yummie said. Perlita likewise attributes her long life and their good health to the Black Nazarene. “I’m already 72 but I still feel strong. It is because of Him. And I will show my devotion until I die,” she added. Like Perlita, 65-year-old Dong Montoya’s faith in the Black Nazarene grew after experiencing miracles for several years. Of his 14 years as a devotee, Montoya cannot forgot an incident in 2005. “I got a cyst in my tongue that time. I was about to undergo operation when I sought Him,” Montoya shared. "After that, a ‘white stone’ immediately went out. It was a miracle that he made.” Since then, Montoya has always tagged along his family to camp out at the Quirino Grandstand for the “Pahalik." They may not join the “Traslacion,” but staying at the Grandstand for vigil is their way to show love and sacrifice. “We will stay here until after hearing a mass on the day of the procession, which means, I will be here for two days, ” Montoya said. The “Traslacion” is the annual procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, where hordes of devotees risk life and limb to climb on the andas bearing the miraculous image and wipe white towels for a year-long blessing. Kenneth Tagundando, Jojo Apolonio, Raymond Cabactulan, and Jeff Galon are cousins who join the crowd annually during the "Traslacion." Kenneth Tagundando, Jojo Apolonio, Raymond Cabactulan and Jeff Galon are cousins who annually join the crowd during the "Traslacion." They have been participating in the procession for 5 years now “to express gratitude for their everyday lives.” (Joseph Almer Pedrajas / MANILA BULLETIN) "We have been doing it for five years now," said 33-year-old Apolonio, who was inspired to join by other devotees he was watching on television when he was a child. “It is our duty,” added Tagundando, 30. Before joining the crowd, they will kick off the “Traslacion” by participating in the “Pahalik” to get “blessings from Him.” They said they do it not to ask for anything but “only to express gratitude for their everyday lives.” "Being a devotee, one does not have to ask for something. A show of gratitude is enough," he added.