(Photo courtesy of Faye Orellana)
MANILA, Philippines — The number of Jesus Nazareno devotees near the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo Church swelled to an estimated 192,400 as of noon on Thursday, according to the Nazareno Operations Center.
The 2025 Traslacion began when the Holy Image of Jesus Nazareno left the Quirino Grandstand at 4:41 a.m.
It made its way past Concepcion Aguila Street and is along Carcer Street as of posting time, part of its 5.8-kilometer route back to the church.
The image will first make its way to the San Sebastian Church for the “Dungaw,” when the parish’s image of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen is brought out to “gaze” upon the passing Jesus Nazareno.
Caring for devotees
Meantime, the Philippine Red Cross has so far attended to 467 devotees who needed medical assistance since Monday, according to its 3:00 p.m. data.
Eight patients were transported to the organization’s emergency field hospital and seven more were brought to nearby medical facilities, PRC added.
(Photo courtesy of Faye Orellana)
According to the humanitarian aid group, the patients who had to be transferred experienced a deviated nose, a dislocated shoulder, a nose bleed, pain in the ankles, back pain, chest pain, chills, difficulty of breathing, and nausea.
PRC did not provide a breakdown for each case.
PNP: No untoward incidents
Meanwhile, no untoward incidents have so far been reported at the start of the procession of the image to the Quiapo Church, according to the Philippine National Police.
Last year’s Traslacion lasted 15 hours.
The Traslacion marks the end of the festivities for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno every January 9, commemorating the transfer of the centuries-old image of the Nazareno from Bagumbayan — the present Rizal Park — to Quiapo Church.
Many Roman Catholics believe in the miraculous and healing powers of Jesus Nazareno and take part in processions not only in an around Quiapo, Manila, but likewise in other parts of the country.
(Photo courtesy of Faye Orellana)