Quiapo Church expects faster Traslacion 2024

(INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Quiapo Church on Monday said it expects the 2024 Traslacion to proceed at a faster pace compared to previous years.

Traslacion 2024 spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang attributed this to the new design of the “andas,” or the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene, as well as the new rule prohibiting climbing the “andas” itself.

“Ang normal na oras natin ay 16-20 hours, pero with the new andas na gagamitin natin kasama ang consideration na hindi na nga po kinakailangan sumampa sa andas, baka mas mapabilis ‘yung takbo ng ating traslacion,” said Magdurulang.

(Our usual time frame is 16-20 hours, but with the new andas that we will be using, taking into account the fact that there is no longer a need to climb onto the andas, the procession might move faster.)

This year’s “andas” features a carriage with a new design with the statue itself enclosed in thick tempered glass.

It combines the design of the carriage used for the Our Lady of Penafrancia and the popemobile.

“Hijos”will also be stationed around the “andas” itself to stop people from climbing in.

“Dahil bago ang andas natin, 16-20 hours within these numbers ay pwede nating mapaikli ‘yung takbo [ng Traslacion],” said Magdurulang.

(Because our andas is new, we can possibly shorten the duration of the Traslacion.)

The annual Traslacion involves the transportation of the life-size image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church.

This year’s Traslacion will mark the first Black Nazarene procession since being suspended three consecutive years due to COVID-19 restrictions.