Black Nazarene procession reaches Manila City Hall

MANILA, Philippines — After a three-hour wait, the Black Nazarene procession is now at the Manila City Hall where thousands of devotees gathered as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The procession, which left the Quirino Grandstand in Manila at around 8 a.m., reached city hall shortly after 11 a.m.

The devotees included pregnant women, babies, children, old men and women, most of them wearing maroon and yellow shirts with either the name or image of the Black Nazarene printed on them. Most of them were barefoot while some of the men were half-naked.

While waiting for the procession, some devotees settled with the replica images of the Black Nazarene, throwing towels to the person nearest the statue so that he or she could wipe onto the Nazarene.

Vendors selling beverages, candies, among others, also lined the street.