As the Traslacion, or procession of the Black Nazarene, was held again on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the "Dungaw,” or “La Mirata” ritual was again one of the highlights of the event. 

A sea of devotees attended the return of the Traslacion after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Jan. 9, the Black Nazarene arrived at around 3:04 p.m. in the vicinity of San Sebastian Church in Quiapo where the ritual will be conducted. 

Police said that the Dungaw was held earlier compared to 2020's Traslacion, where the Nazarene arrived at the San Sebastian Church at around 4 p.m.

Quiapo Church communications coordinator Silgen Frias Cabrito said that the dungaw is the historic practice of the San Sebastian and Quiapo churches where the Black Nazarene meets the image of Nuestra Señora del Carmen de San Sebastian.

Some people believe that the Dungaw is a recreation of the meeting between the Mother and Son at the Cross. However, Cabrito clarified that the ritual is a tradition that shows tribute to every patron.

“Naiisip natin na ang dungaw ay pagtatagpo ng Ina sa kanyang Anak sa krus ngunit hindi. Ito po ay tradisyon na pagbibigay pugay sa bawat patron ng isang simbahan sa dinaanang simbahan. Ang Dungaw po ay paraan ng pagbibigay galang sa mga pinipintakasi ng bawat simbahan (people think that the Dungaw is the meeting of the Mother with her Son on the cross but it is not. This is a tradition to pay tribute to every patron of a church that the Nazarene passes. It is a way of paying respect to each church),” he said. 

He added that Dungaw is a highlight of the Traslacion.