MDRRMO: 12M devotees join Black Nazarene feast

Millions of devotees are expected to flock the Quirino Grandstand on Friday for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, one of the country’s biggest annual religious processions. Video by Rem Zamora/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The devotees who joined in the celebration of the statue of the Black Nazarene, widely believed as miraculous, have reached 12 million, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) estimated on Friday.

In a text message sent to INQUIRER.net, MDRRMO officer in charge Johnny Yu said that the figure included those who joined the “pahalik” of the ebony statue of Jesus Christ which started at Thursday morning.

Yu added that the crowd could swell to 20 million when the procession ends, doubling the number of devotees who attended last year’s festivities which reached 10 million.

The annual traslacion has been inching its way to Quiapo Church for 10 hours as of posting time.

The carriage of the Black Nazarene has reached Plaza Sta. Cruz as of 6:55 p.m and currently on its way to Palanca street.

Last year’s procession lasted 19 hours.

The image of Jesus Christ which is carrying a cross believed to have attained its ebony hue from being burned while on its way to the Philippines from Mexico. It arrived in the country in 1607.