MANILA, Philippines — The Quirino Grandstand drew thousands of crowds since the start of “pagpupugay” (paying tribute) — the activity alternative to the traditional “pahalik”, the Quiapo Church said on Saturday.
READ: On first novena night, Black Nazarene faithful told: Believe even if petitions aren’t granted yet
The Quiapo Church Command Post said the crowd estimate from 12:00 am to 9:00 am was at 1,700.
The image of the Black Nazarene is being exhibited at the Quirino Grandstand, but there will be no pahalik or the traditional kissing of the dark wooden image, which is believed by millions of Filipinos to be miraculous.
Instead, devotees are encouraged to take part in the Pagpupugay, or praying near the image, by queuing at a designated entrance lane at the grandstand’s South Drive and exiting through Katigbak Drive.
The devotees are also allowed to touch the image.
For the third consecutive year, the Traslacion has been canceled. It was first canceled in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The annual procession is a reenactment of the 1787 Traslacion — literally means “solemn transfer” — of the image from its original shrine in Bagumbayan, the present Rizal Park, to the Quiapo Church.
But other activities for the Black Nazarene will now resume, such as the hourly celebration of the Holy Mass at the Quiapo Church and the mass at the Quirino Grandstand headed by the Archdiocese of Manila, according to Fr. Earl Valdez, attached priest of Quiapo Church.
Also, instead of the Traslacion, there will also be a “Walk of Faith” or procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church but without the sacred image.
READ: No ‘Traslacion’ in 2023, says Quiapo Church priest
According to the Manila Police District, they expect that the 2023 Feast of the Black Nazarene would draw around five million devotees — matching pre-pandemic numbers.
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