Erap to shoulder Nazarene devotee’s burial

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will shoulder the burial expenses of a 44-year-old devotee who died of a heart attack during the Black Nazarene’s procession on Friday.

In a telephone interview with The STAR yesterday, Estrada condoled with the family of Renato Gurion, a member of the group Hijos del Nazareno and a resident of Sampaloc, Manila.

“I will shoulder his burial expenses like I usually do. We cannot blame anybody for the incident,” Estrada said.

Gurion, who was one of the escorts of the Black Nazarene on its way to Quiapo Church, reportedly had a heart attack as the carriage was making its way out of the Quirino Grandstand.

The crush of devotees reportedly prevented Gurion’s colleagues from immediately bringing him down from the carriage and rushing him to the hospital.

During the procession, devotees traditionally compete with each other to hold the ropes that pull the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene, which they believe to be miraculous.     

Gurion was declared dead on arrival at the Manila Doctors Hospital.

Gurion’s colleagues said he led a healthy lifestyle, ran marathons and hit the gym regularly.