Petron Gonzales: Nazarene Devotee

PBA09s63p002

Meet Mang Petron Gonzales, 56 years old, a Nazarene devotee from Maricaban, Pasay . I met Mang Petron in Carriedo, on the early morning of the Feast Day of the Senyor Nazareno. Like the thousands of devotees around, Mang Petron was barefooted, and holding a Good Morning towel with the face of the Nazareno printed on it. Yet, unlike all the other devotees, Mang Petron was clad in what was probably an authentic attire typical of the ones used in the ancient town of Nazareth during Jesus Christ's time.

I thought that I will feature at least one typical Nazarene devotee among the thousands present that day, and I decided it will be Mang Petron Gonzales--if he agrees. It would be also easier to interview him because he was alone, unlike the other devotees who came in groups.

Mang Petron gladly agreed to be interviewed.

Despite the serious countenance in Mang Petron's face, I found that he was a kind and friendly person. He had been a Nazarene devotee since youth, and every Feast Day of the Senyor Nazareno, he walked barefooted from Pasay to Quiapo--which is some 12 kilometers in distance. To make sure he arrives early for the procession, Mang Petron started his walkathon at three in the morning, only stopping every now and then to massage his tired feet. This day, he arrived in Quiapo at 7 in the morning, still too early, but it gave him a lot of time to sip a hot coffee being sold by a vendor for ten pesos*.

Would Mang Petron agree if I take pictures of him? He said yes, and that was the beginning of our conversation and friendship. I began taking photographs, and in between, asking a few questions. I became curious about the antique crucified Christ necklace he was wearing and asked where it came from. He said that he carved it out from a meteorite that fell from heavens. It had some miraculous powers, he said. It was very fascinating.

Meanwhile, other devotees around us became curious why I was interviewing and photographing Mang Petron, and many came over to eavesdrop. For a moment, there were only a few chismosos, then as curiosity began to build up, Mang Petron and I were already surrounded by a mob, many just wanting to become part of the pictures, thinking perhaps that the pictures will be published in the broadsheets.

Soon I can no longer make a decent interview as it was becoming too noisy, as many also began throwing questions to Mang Petron. My objective has been demolished, although Mang Petron was quite happy answering the chorus of questions. One woman remarked that Mang Petron looked like Jesus Christ, and Mang Petron was visibly pleased by the remark. He told us that he was a spiritual healer, too. He had a Holy Oil that can heal illnesses, and anyone in the mob who wanted to be healed can try it.

One bald middle-aged man volunteered. His arms had been hurting, can Mang Petron heal them, please? Mang Petron pulled from his hidden pocket his Holy Oil, contained in a bottle with the face of Jesus Christ printed on it. This special Holy Oil he extracted from various roots, mixed with prayers. Mang Petron massaged the man's arms with the oil, sometimes spitting into it. The man was pleased to get a free treatment and he declared that the oil had a soothing effect. His arms were no longer hurting.

This declaration made a lot of people even more curious, and they surrounded Mang Petron so they could get some of the Holy Oil. This time I already retreated because I know that I can no longer make a decent interview. I thanked Mang Petron for his time and started to walk away. Meantime, word had spread that there was a healer around, and more and more people began to crowd on Mang Petron, to get healed, and to get even a few drops of his Holy Oil.

As I walked away, I felt guilty to have disturbed Mang Petron. He was alone and peaceful before my interview, but was now thronged by a faithful mob. But I can see that the kindly Mang Petron was happy to heal them all and give them more than just a few drops of his precious oil.

*The coffee was sold in a rolling cart (i.e., kariton). Coffee is 10 pesos. With milk, 12 pesos.