Thousands of barefoot devotees joined the religious procession in Manila on January 9, hoping to touch a centuries-old icon of Jesus Christ, called the Black Nazarene, which is believed to have miraculous powers. (Photo by Maria TAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — There will be no holding of the traditional Traslacion, the highlight of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, but authorities expect devotees to still come in droves on Saturday, January 9, amid the threat of coronavirus pandemic.
As part of its preparation for the occasion, several roads in Manila will be closed to traffic starting Friday night, Jan. 8.
In a traffic advisory on Wednesday, the Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit announced the following road closures, parking plans, and road re-routings:
Road closures on Jan. 8, 10 p.m. onwards
– Southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. (Quiapo), from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Carlos Palanca St.
– Northbound Lane of Quezon Blvd from Carlos Palanca St. to Fugoso St.
– Westbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to A Mendoza St.
– Stretch of Evangelista St. from P Paterno St. to Recto Ave.
– Stretch of Palanca St. from Carriedo/Plaza Lacson to P Casal St.
Re-routing of vehicles:
– Vehicles going to southbound lane of Quezon Blvd from A. Mendoza: turn right to Fugoso St. then left to Rizal Avenue.
– Vehicles going to southbound lane of España Blvd: turn left to Nicanor Reyes St., or turn right to P. Campa St., then left to A. Mendoza St., then right to Fugoso St.
– Vehicles coming from McArthur Bridge intending to utilize Palanca St shall go straight to Rizal Ave. to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge intending to utilize Palanca St. shall go straight to P. Casal St. to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Ave. intending to utilize Quezon Bridge shall go straight to McArthur Bridge or Jones Bridge to point of destination.
Road closures on Jan. 9, 12 m.n. onwards:
– Stretch of Ronquillo St. from Rizal Ave. to Plaza Sta. Cruz
– Stretch of Bustos St. from Plaza Sta Cruz to Rizal Ave.
Re-routing of vehicles:
– Vehicles utilizing southbound lane of Rizal Ave. going to Ronquillo St. shall turn right to CM. Recto Ave., turn left to R. Regente St., to J. Luna St. turn left to Plaza Cervantes to Jones Bridge or go straight to Muelle dela Industria to Escolta to point of destination.
– Vehicles coming from McArthur Bridge intending to utilize Bustos St. shall go straight to Rizal Ave. to point of destination.
Influx of devotees
Manila Public Information Office head Julius Leonen told INQUIRER.net that the road closures were prompted by the expected arrival of devotees who will attend the mass on the feast day, which will be held beginning 4 a.m. on Jan. 9.
“Expected pa rin influx ng mga devotees na aattend ng misa. But we’re encouraging them to stay at home since the masses are also broadcast live by the Quiapo Church on Facebook,” he said in a text message.
“Traslacion” (solemn transfer) or the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene is celebrated at dawn of Jan. 9 of each year.
However, considering that there is a pandemic, the annual grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as Quiapo Church, will not push through.
Instead of a procession, more masses will be held for devotees. The annual celebration will be ushered in by novena masses from Dec. 31 to Jan. 9.
On the Feast Day, the mass will be celebrated by Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo at 4 a.m.
Only 30% of the seating capacity of the Quiapo Church had been allowed for masses on the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.
More monitors will be set up in entry points of the Quiapo Church to enable devotees to watch the Masses through the screens.
Nearby Sta. Cruz Church and the San Sebastian Church will also be celebrating masses on Jan. 9, to urge people to attend masses there instead.
Church authorities will also be putting 14 prayer stations within the vicinity of the Quiapo Church, where people can also pray.