Black Nazarene replica back in Baguio after 4 years

March 28, 2024 | By Erin Victoria Agapito

Welcoming prayer for the Black Nazarene at Camp John Hay's Bell Amphitheater, Baguio City. (The Companion/EV Agapito)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines— The replica of the Black Nazarene makes its return on Tuesday after four years, at Camp John Hay’s Bell Amphitheater in observance of the Holy Week.

In honor of its arrival, the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), in partnership with the John Hay Business Club (JHBC), held a welcome mass at Camp John Hay. This event marked the kickoff of their weeklong event, "Spiritual Journey at the Camp."

Since 2015, JHMC has been bringing the replica of the Black Nazarene to the city as part of the Holy Week tradition. It was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now back and is set to resume in the coming years.

“Through the years, people would come up during Holy Week just to visit Him,” JHBC president Techie Pantaleon said.

“Hopefully we can start anew starting this year and in the coming years,” she added.

Back in Baguio’s warmth! JHMC Security and Safety Department (SSD), Delta Baguio Volunteer Group, and Black Nazarene volunteers assist in the arrival of the Black Nazarene replica at Camp John Hay's Bell Amphitheater, Baguio City. (The Companion/EV Agapito)

This year’s replica of the Black Nazarene is different from the one that visited the city in 2015-2019.

“The original replica that used to visit John Hay was actually donated to a parish priest in Tuguegarao by the owner,” Pantaleon said.

“Now suddenly, last January, one of the Hijos [volunteer caretakers of the Black Nazarene] asked me if they are okay to come up. So it is like a random blessing… maybe it was His request,” she added.

Several activities are lined up from March 26 to 31, 2024, including a Holy Mass on the following days:

Mar. 29, Friday, 3 p.m.

Mar. 30. Saturday, 6 p.m.

Mar. 31, Sunday, 9 a.m.

“Naisip namin na perfect din na it will be in the Amphitheater para hindi siya nasa commercial area, so people will have solemnity and find their spirituality, which I think is very important especially now to the new generation,” Pantaleon added.

The replica is open to the public from March 26 to March 31, at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is set to leave the city on Monday, April 1.