50 years of feeding faith: Black Nazarene devotee shares free bread

January 9, 2026 – 6:44 PM

A view of the Quiapo Church in Manila during Traslacion on Jan. 9, 2026 (The Philippine STAR/Mark Ernest Villeza)

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Black Nazarene

devotee was spotted giving free bread to fellow devotees during the annual

Traslacion

on Friday, January 9.

Concepcion Montero

said she has been doing the “caridad,” a Spanish word for “charity,” for 50 years already.

When asked why she gives away free bread, she said, “Parang ’yung minana ko sa mga in-laws ko na pinagmamasdan ko sila. Ang daming natutuwa ’pag marami silang natutulungan.”

“At nakikita ko naman na ‘yung mga sumasama, lalo na ‘yung mga matatanda na, tuwang-tuwa sila, maabutan mo lang sila, masayang masaya na sila,” Montero added.

She said she finds the act fulfilling, especially when she sees the expressions on people’s faces as they receive the bread.

When asked whether they would continue the act, Montero said they would do so “for as long as they can.”

“Kahit anong mangyari, hangga’t kaya namin, tutuloy namin. Pangako namin ‘yan,” the devotee said.

Previous reports noted that Montero also carries out the act during Holy Week, a solemn observance commemorating Jesus Christ’s Passion.

On January 9, hundreds of thousands of devotees participated in the annual Traslacion, the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

READ:

Devotees in Philippines join massive ‘Black Nazarene’ procession

Nazareno devotion should shape social conscience, priest says

The religious procession reenacts Jesus Christ carrying his cross to Calvary.

Every year, thousands of devotees take part in the event, seeking blessings and divine favor, as they believe the image of the Black Nazarene to be miraculous.