For many devotees, lighting candles is an essential practice when in Quiapo. Devotees, who believe that candlelight symbolizes hope radiating brightly and intensely from the heart and soul of the devout, approach stalls outside the Quiapo Church to light candles for specific purposes. These stalls line an avenue right outside the church so people immediately see them before or after entering the church.

In his article Understanding the Devotion to the Black Nazarene (GMA News Online), Bro. Clifford Sorita listed Pasindi or lighting of multi-coloured candles outside of the Quiapo Church as one of the rituals associated with the Black Nazarene devotion.

 

          The sellers of candles, also known as tagatirik ng kandila, are good-natured as they converse heartily and humorously with each other, unwary about the stiff rivalry that is supposed to intervene between them in the name of serious trade. Devotees light candles in their preferred stalls for many of them are already suki (regular customer) of some sellers. Each stall is distinctly marked with a signage bearing the name of its owner and a list of the colors of the candles and their corresponding interpretations or meanings. Such list serves to guide the customer as to which color is the most appropriate to his or her intention. The candles available in every stall come in different colors for particular intentions.

 

          As seen in the markers of the stores, the colors stand for something: 1) white for birthday wish and purity; 2) red for offering for families/soul; 3) blue for peace of mind; 4) green for financial matters or money; 5) maroon for thanksgiving to the Nazarene; 6) yellow for good spirit; 7) pink for love and health; 8) orange for brightness; 9) brown for good fortune; 10) peach for studies and exams; 11) violet for material wealth; 12) rainbow for wishes; and 13) black for conscience. A customer is given options to light a single candle or a bundle of candles that usually consists of several colored candles of his or her choice. The candles are lighted and made to stand on an aluminum platter with metal wire to separate them.

 

          According to Quiapo Today, Quiapo “...is also known for the famous lighting ritual especially the month of February in which Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Candle or La Candelaria. During this feast, people go to mass while bringing their candles and let these candles be blessed by the priest…” Devotees light their candles while saying fervent prayers, optimistic that the brightness emanating from the flames will bring them promise of love, happiness, peace, and prosperity.