MANILA, Philippines — The route of Traslacion for this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene will be similar to the 2018 edition, an official from the Manila local government unit said on Friday.
“Hindi po nabago ang ruta, gaya ho no’ng isang taon, ang ruta na kukunin natin, ‘pag tawid ho natin ng P. Burgos, ‘yong opposite side po ng P. Burgos ang dadaanan ng prusisyon, ‘yong westbound (There will be no changes in the route of the procession this year. The procession will pass through opposite side of P. Burgos, the westbound side),” Manila City Administrator Ericson Acovendaz told reporters after a briefing inside Quiapo Church.
“So hindi ho tayo dadaan doon sa Lagusnilad, hindi ho natin daraanan ‘yon. Pangalawang taon na ho nating gagawin ‘yan (We are not going to pass through Lagusnilad. This is the second year that the procession is not passing that area),” he added.
According to information released by the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the Traslacion will start around 5:00 a.m., after the morning prayer at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
From the Quirino Grandstand, the procession would traverse Katigbak Drive all the way to Padre Burgos Street, taking a left turn on Taft Avenue up to Jones Bridge, before turning right on Dasmariñas Street.
Afterwards, the carriage would turn right on Plaza Sta. Cruz Street, turn left on Carlos Palanca Street under the Quezon Bridge, left on Quezon Boulevard, right on Arlegui Street, right on Fraternal Street, right on Vergara Street, left on Dueque de Alba Street, left on Castillejos Street, left on Farencio Street, before returning to Arlegui by taking a right.
This will be followed by a left going to Nepomuceno Street, a left on Concepcion Aguila Street, right on Cancer Street, right on Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left on Bilibid Viejo all the way to Gonzalo Puyat Street, left on Z.P. de Guzman Street, before returning to Hidalgo.
A left turn will be made on Bautista Street, then a right on Arlegui, left on Quezon Boulevard, right on Palanca under the Quezon Bridge, then a right on Villalobos Street before reaching Plaza Miranda.
Priests from the Quiapo Church expect the statue of the Black Nazarene to be back inside the Basilica by 2:30 a.m. of the following day, on January 10. /ee