Cell signals jammed in Manila for Black Nazarene procession

NEW RIDE | Policemen with bomb-sniffing dogs inspect the still-covered “andas” (carriage) of the Black Nazarene at Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. The new carriage, featuring a tempered glass enclosure and equipped with security camera, will be unveiled in today’s procession. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Cell phone signals will be temporarily shut down in parts of Manila as part of security measures for the Feast of Black Nazarene on Tuesday, according to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

“Tell your families not to panic right away when they cannot contact you because this is being done every year,” the official said on Monday.

Abalos, along with Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., Bureau of Fire Protection chief Louie Puracan and Manila Police District director Col. Thomas Ibay, inspected Manila’s Quiapo Church ahead of this year’s “traslacion,” or grand procession featuring a life-size statue of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ.

He said the PNP, other uniformed services and government agencies were “100 percent prepared” for the religious event, which this year would mark the return of the traditional procession after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event is expected to draw an estimated 2.3 million people. Around 15,000 policemen have already been deployed since the start of pre-traslacion activities in recent days.

Last year’s smaller-scale “Walk of Faith” saw a turnout of over 90,000 devotees, who marched from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church but without the religious image, banners and other accompaniments.

50,000 face masks

Lacuna said the Manila government prepared 50,000 face masks to be distributed to devotees to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases. Those not feeling well were advised to stay home.

President Marcos on Monday wished the Catholic faithful a “solemn and meaningful” Nazarene feast, urging them to discover their inner strength and a renewed sense of hope and purpose during the commemoration.

“Beyond the extraordinary expressions of reverence that we see on display during this event, the festivities show us the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ who willingly offered Himself to make us whole once more,” the President said in a message released by Malacañang.

Mr. Marcos said the feast was “a magnificent celebration of the Almighty’s enduring mercy and boundless love bestowed upon everyone.”

Devotees in Metro Manila can expect generally fair weather with isolated light rains on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau. —WITH REPORTS FROM JEROME ANING AND RUSSEL P. LORETO INQ