The carriage of the Black Nazarene reached Quezon Boulevard much earlier than expected in this year’s Traslacion, compared to previous years.
MANILA, Philippines – The Traslacion of the Black Nazarene is moving faster than the previous year, with the Andas leaving Carlos Palanca Street in Quiapo, Manila by 9:30 a.m. of Thursday, January 9.
It took a shorter time for the procession to cross the Pasig River this year, compared in 2019 when the Andas was just making its approach to the Jones Bridge by 9:30 a.m. It got past Carlos Palanca Street by around noon last year.
This year, however, the procession went through Ayala Bridge, which shortened the trip immensely.
Observers said that the quick pass was caused by the “andas” being escorted by police officials, as planned by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
But with the wall being broken and the procession left again to the original organizers, it is unclear how long the procession would take.
As of 12:30, officers from the Manila Police District said that the Andas is already moving towards Castillejos Street — still way earlier than the 2019 parade.
Cutting the procession time into half was one of the goals of NCRPO, as acting director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said that it would lessen risks such as criminal and terrorist acts.
The Traslacion has been known for gathering millions of devotees, with the trip to from the Quirino Grandstand up to the Quiapo Church taking more than 20 hours.