Devotees react as they try to block others from climbing on the glass-covered cart carrying Black Nazarene during its annual procession which was resumed after a three-year suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Manila, Philippines. A mammoth crowd of mostly barefoot Catholic devotees joined a procession through downtown Manila Tuesday to venerate a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ. (AP)
MANILA, Philippines — Black Nazarene devotees were pleasantly surprised to see the new, glass-encased carriage or “andas” bearing the sacred image during Tuesday’s procession, saying it is a “welcome improvement” to the annual celebration.
Gerard Cordial, a long-time devotee, said it was the first time for him to see the Black Nazarene encased in thick layers of glass.
“We were shocked because we’re not used to seeing Him behind glass. We’re used to touching Him. Back then, we even had access to His face,” Gerard said.
However, he noted that the addition of glass surrounding the sacred image is a great improvement as it further ensures the safety of participants.
“It’s for safety so that the flow of Traslacion would be better. I think it’s better this year. The flow [procession] was smoother.”
Safety, security
For Jasper Loayon, a devotee for over 11 years, protecting the Black Nazarene image is paramount.
“It’s better this way so that the crowd will not try to tip the image over. Back then, the procession would stop because people would try to alight the carriage,” Jasper said.
“So the new andas is better because it protects the Nazarene. To us, the Nazarene is all that matters,” he added.
But when the Black Nazarene traversed Finance Road at around 6:30 a.m., the light rain resulted in condensation, which obscurred the devotees’ view of the sacred image
“I think that’s a problem. We couldn’t see the Nazarene,” Jasper lamented.
“They should have a solution for that so they’ll be ready for any calamity. Like when it rained earlier,” he said.
Apart from the weather, another challenge welcomed the new carriage this year when one of the ropes used to pull the andas snapped at Arlegui Street.
Despite these, the Traslacion pushed through and was attended by a large volume of devotees.
On Monday, Traslacion 2024 spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang said that the new andas was designed to allow the crowd to see the Black Nazarene from afar as the glass casing prevented people from hugging the sacred image.
However, devotees still attempted to jump on the carriage to touch the Black Nazarene.