The Catholic Church continues to pray for a safer and faster procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church amid the bigger crowds expected to participate in the annual feast dubbed as Traslacion 2025.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Manila, Quiapo Church and Nazareno 2025 Spokesman Fr. Robert Arellano said they are better prepared this year, and they have implemented changes to ensure the safety of devotees.
The traditional pahalik or kissing of Nazareno’s image has been changed to pagpupugay (salute) to avoid literal kissing that could possibly spread health threatening virus to the devotees.
Devotees are only allowed to approach the image, touch or dab hankies on it.
Pahalik started on Monday January 6 and will continue up to January 8.
The changes in the conduct of the annual procession were implemented to avoid stampedes which resulted to deaths and casualties in the previous years.
On January 9 at 12:00 Midnight, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will preside over the Misa Mayor or midnight mass at the Quirino Grandstand.
After the mass, the vigil continues until dawn to prepare for the grand procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church which is set to start at 4:30am.
Fr. Arellano said they want to make sure that the devotees are safe as well as the image of Jesus Nazareno through some modifications.
This includes upgrades to the windows of the image carriage (andas) such as a sunroof and a high powered exhaust fan to ensure the safety of the image as this could prevent the moisting inside the glass enclosure of the Nazarene.
Fr Arellano however encouraged the devotees to reflect on the deeper meaning of Traslacion and why it remains to be a popular annual event among the Catholics.
The religious leader said the devotees always take part in the event as they really feel the presence of the Lord in their lives.
“ Kabahagi ng ministerio ng Hesus Nazareno ang pagpapagaling sa mga maysakit, ang kapatawaran sa mga may kasalanan, ang mga pipi nakapagsasalita ang mga bulag nakakakita, ang mga patay binubuhay. Bahagi ito ng gawaing pangkaligtasan ni Hesus Nazareno kaya bumabalik ang mga tao sa simbahan ng Quiapo ayon sa pag aaral upang magpasalamat”. Fr Arellano said
Around six million devotees are expected to flock to the routes of the Traslacion in this year’s event.
This annual procession is a reenactment of the 1787 Traslacion – which literally means “solemn transfer” – of the Black Nazarene image from its original shrine in Bagumbayan, the present Rizal Park, to the Quiapo Church.
Last year’s Traslacion lasted for almost 15 hours but organizers hope it will be faster this year as the procession will pass by the same familiar routes.
(Quiapo Church photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.