These Filipino Celebrities Have a Deep Connection With the Black Nazarene
Every January, the blackened statue of Jesus Christ draws hundreds of thousands from all walks of life in a fervent display of faith. These devotees bear witness to the transformative impact the Nazareno has had on their lives.
Among these worshippers are four of the country’s celebrated figures who have sworn to the profound connection they share with the Black Nazarene. These celebrities, each with their unique stories of devotion, offer a glimpse into the ways the Nazareno has influenced their lives.
Noli de Castro
Veteran news anchor Noli de Castro believes that the Black Nazarene intentionally guided him on his journey of faith. In his fourth year of college, his family relocated to Arlegui Street in Quiapo, Manila, just a stone's throw away from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. De Castro would naturally be invited to participate in the annual procession, a gesture he embraced even though he didn't fully comprehend the essence of the devotion.
After earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the East in 1971, de Castro had the opportunity to work at a small radio station in Intramuros, Manila. Every afternoon, before heading home, he developed the habit of stopping by Quiapo Church to offer prayers to the Nazareno. "Yun ang nangyari araw-araw, ilang taon kong ginawa yun," he shared on Father Douglas Badong’s YouTube Channel Misa at Pagninilay.
Then, every year during the Traslacion, he actively participated in the procession, carrying the image of the Nazarene and offering prayers for his intentions. "Ang request ko lang noon ay magkaroon ako ng sariling programa sa radyo, sa istasyong pinagtatrabahuhan ko," he shared. It didn’t take long, and he soon achieved his wish.
After that, many more opportunities came his way when he moved to a larger radio station. "Ang hiningi ko lang ay programa sa radio, pero binigyan niya pa ako ng [programa sa] television. Para sa akin, napakalaking bagay 'yun na ginawa sa akin ng Mahal na Nazareno," he said.
Following the Edsa People Power Revolution in February 1986, De Castro received an offer to join ABS-CBN, opening doors to even more opportunities for him. "Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ako sa pagpunta sa Quiapo. Lumiliban lamang ako sa pagpunta tuwing Biyernes kung ako ay nasa ibang bansa. I see to it na ang schedule ko walang Biyernes ng umaga even until today," he said.
He also mentioned that the Black Nazarene played a significant role in his decision to enter public office. He sought guidance from the Black Nazarene and fervently prayed to Him before running for Senator in 2001 and for Vice President in 2004.
De Castro also announced his candidacy for the 2022 Senate election but later withdrew from the race. “Iba ang pakiramdam ko, hindi buo ang loob ko na pumasok uli sa pulitika. Parang half-hearted. Kaya, I decided na kumalas. Dinasal ko sa Nazareno, sana tama ang desisyon ko. I think tama,” he said. “Halos lahat ng ginagawa ko, ikinukunsulta ko muna sa Kanya. I think naging masuwerte ako kasi naging malapit ako sa Kanya.”
Coco Martin
Coco Martin’s parents separated when he was very young, and as a result, he was raised by his grandmother, Lola Matilde, who was a devoted follower of the Black Nazarene. Recounting those times, he shared on Kris TV, “Mga edad five or six, nagpupunta kami sa Quiapo. Minsan namamalengke muna kami sa Blumentritt tapos didiretso kami sa Quiapo [para magdasal].”
Life posed numerous challenges for Coco, and throughout the years, he actively participated in the Traslacion, fervently offering his prayers to the Black Nazarene. Reflecting on his struggles, he shared at the Feast of the Black Nazarene four years ago: “Lagi po akong kinakapos sa kapalaran. Dati po lagi akong natatanggal sa trabaho, kung hindi man po, nae-endo. Lagi ko lang ipinagdadasal na sana balang araw magkaroon ako ng trabaho na alam ko na magiging daan para mabuhay at matulungan ko ang aking pamilya, lalo na ang lola ko.”
The aspiring actor doubted whether he was an ideal fit for the entertainment industry—given his stature, limited talents, speaking skills, and extreme shyness—but decided to venture into show business nonetheless. He became part of several independent films and eventually garnered acclaim for his performances.
In 2007, Coco Martin finally had the chance to touch the face of the Nazarene. Since then, he says he has consistently found employment. Despite his rise to stardom, the devoted Nazarene follower remains committed to participating in the annual feasts. "Walang mintis sa pagpunta sa pista kahit na nag-aartista na ako. Ang ginagawa ko, naghuhubad ako ng damit, nagni-ninja ako; tinatakpan ko ang mukha ko. Andun lang ako sa labas nagdadasal [kasi] siyempre iniiwasan ko na makagulo pa ako," he shared in another interview. According to him, his devotion to the Nazarene is an expression of gratitude for the blessings in his life.
Angeline Quinto
Angeline Quinto's devotion to the Black Nazarene began at the tender age of seven. Growing up in Sampaloc, Manila, within a community fervently dedicated to the Black Nazarene, she, alongside her adoptive mother, Sylvia Quinto (whom she lovingly calls Mama Bob), neighbors, and childhood friends, annually participated in carrying an image of the Black Nazarene during the procession to Quiapo Church. When Mama Bob became unable to join the processions, Angeline carried on with the tradition.
“Ang ipinag-pepray ko lang noon ay magkaroon ako ng regular na trabaho sa pamamagitan ng pagkanta,” the singer-actress shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News. Little did she know that the Black Nazarene would exceed her expectations and bestow upon her an abundance of blessings. In 2011, she emerged victorious in ABS-CBN’s “Star Power: Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar,” marking the beginning of a flood of opportunities in her career.
Her faith was later tested when her adoptive mother fell critically ill. Nevertheless, Angeline persevered in her daily visits to Quiapo Church after tending to her mother at the Philippine Heart Center. “Talagang doon po ako nagdadasal araw-araw at ayun, awa po ng Diyos, talagang may himala po si Poong Nazareno kasi nagkaroon ng pangalawang buhay si Mama ko,” she shared.
Angeline was able to give her Mama Bob a good life until the latter peacefully joined her Creator in November 2020.
Giselle Sanchez
Host and comedienne Giselle Sanchez refers to herself as an “accidental devotee” of the Poong Nazareno. She was a member of the speaker’s bureau of the Oasis Catholic Charismatic Community and was asked to lead the praise and worship at the Luneta Grandstand during the Traslacion in the mid-2000s.
“Hindi talaga ako deboto ng Nazareno. Noong nakita ko ang Nazareno, nag-sign of the cross lang ako, hindi ko siya hinipo,” she recalled in an interview with News5. Little did she know that Bro. Vic Pestaño, a devotee who was helping to organize the feast, was closely watching her. Pestaño told her, “Tingnan mo ang lahat ng taong nagpapakamatay para lang mahawakan ang Nazareno, tapos ikaw magsa-sign of the cross lang. Hindi mo man lang siya hinipo.”
For Sanchez at that time, touching the image of the Nazareno felt like fanaticism and idolatry. So she prayed to Him: “Nazareno, ipakita mo sa akin kung bakit nagkakagulo ang mga taong ito… kung bakit halos magpakamatay sila, kahit maaksidente, para lang mahipo ka. Bakit sila naglalakad nang nakayapak mula Luneta Grandstand hanggang Quiapo para lang sa debosyon nila para sa iyo.”
As soon as she touched the end of His robe, tears began to flow. “Parang pumasok ang Holy Spirit sa akin. Nakaramdam ako ng kagalingan,” shared Sanchez, who, at the time, was suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a disorder that can cause pain in one’s jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.
“Marami akong pinagdadaanan noon. Pati sa faith ko, sa career ko…bagsak ang career ko. Noong hinipo ko yung [laylayan] ng damit niya, I felt a piece of heaven. Parang nakakita ako ng langit, ganoon ang pakiramdam ko,” she shared. “Na-realize ko, 'yun pala ang hinahanap ng mga tao. Ang mga taong ito, hindi sila panatiko, mga deboto sila. Ito ang paraan mo para makakonekta sa Diyos.” She then kissed the Black Nazarene’s feet and made a vow to strive for holiness.
