Location, location, location

I was on the roof of the Quirino Grandstand ready to take pictures of the Black Nazarene's departure for Quiapo Church. Apparently the rooftop is the place to be since you can capture the crowds and get a real feel for size of this event. But as more and more photographers started showing up (some with better lenses than me) it became apparent that I would at best get "just another" picture of this event.

So when a fellow photographer said that it usually takes the procession 30 minutes to clear the grandstand I made a drastic decision. I decided to go down and join the crowds and get close up pictures as the procession left.

As I was on ground level looking up at the photographers on the roof I kept saying "Yes, I'm the only one here taking pictures from this vantage point". That was until the mob started telling me "Pare, masisira yan" - (Friend, that's going to break) pointing at my camera. I told them that it was an old camera and thank you for the friendly advice.

Soon after as the crush of the crowd became more intense, they said in a less friendly voice "Pare, makakasakit ka niyan" - (Friend, you're going to hurt people) pointing at my shoes. You see, devotees of the Black Nazarene join the procession barefoot so my hiking boots were going to inflict major damage . So in the spirit of the procession, I took of my shoes to the delight of my new found friend.