Over 2 million expected to join the Nazarene procession

Nazareno 2024: Live Updates for The Feast of Black Nazarene

WALL OF PROTECTION The carriage bearing the Black Nazarene leaves Quirino Grandstand in Manila, surrounded by a formidable barricade of men in blue. (File photo dated January 9, 2020, taken by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — At least two million devotees are expected to join the Feast of the Black Nazareno or Nazareno 2024 on January 9 (Tuesday).

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna made the projection in a press conference on Thursday.

She cited the number of devotees recorded by Quiapo Church in previous Nazareno celebrations before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Noong mga nakaraan nasa 2 million,” Laguna recalled in a press conference.

(In the past, it was around 2 million.)

“Hindi natin masasabi (kung) ilan ang dadalo ngayon sa kadahilanan na lahat ay sabik na sabik,” she told reporters.

(We can’t say how many will attend now because everyone is so excited.)

“[Pero] ganoon pa rin ang numbers na ine-expect namin. Hindi kami nag-e-expect ng mas kaunti,” she added.

(But the numbers we expect are still the same. We don’t expect less.)

Lacuna said around 12,000 officers from the Philippine National Police will be on hand to provide security.

More than 12 ambulances will also be on standby during the feast.

This year’s observance will include the Traslacion procession.

The procession was suspended in the past three years due to the pandemic restrictions.