The Quiapo Church was satisfied with how this year's celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene turned out amid the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 virus.
Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez said that it was a "good decision" to hold activities of the religious feast in parts.
"Given the pandemic, given the situation, this was a good decision. Although, we recognized nakakapagod din sa deboto kasi parang nagpiyesta kami ng dalawang araw. But kung ito naman ay mas makahulugan, mas maayos sa mga deboto, mas mararamadaman ang diwa ng piyesta (that it was also tiring for the devotees because it was like we celebrated this for two days. But this is more meaningful, more organized for the devotees, and the spirit of the feast was felt more)," Valdez said on Monday, Jan. 9.
Valdez said that they will take note of how this year's celebration was done.
"We cannot say if this will be the format for the following years. But rest assured, kung ano man ang natutunan natin dito, pag nawala na ang pandemya (whatever we have learned here, when the pandemic is over), we will be able to implement and innovate some of it," he said.
The prelate said that the devotees were able to welcome the changes on how this annual feast was observed this year.
Asked if there would also be changes in the faithful's devotion, Valdez said "change cannot be seen immediately."
"I think we're going to see changes in terms of devotion, it may take five to 10 years. But we will also see kasi paiba-iba at yung pandemya— tingnan natin kung ano pa ang mangyayari
(because there may be some changes and of course, the pandemic. Let's see what else will happen in) post-pandemic life," he said.