Maintain orderliness, millions of Black Nazarene devotees urged

Barely four days before the “traslacion” 2016 or grand procession of the Black Nazarene, the leadership of the Quiapo church and government officials on Tuesday appealed to the participants of the annual procession to maintain orderliness and be sensitive to other devotees all throughout the celebration of faith.

Although failing to give an estimate of expected number of devotees this year, Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector of the Quiapo church, said they are expecting that this year’s participants will exceed last year’s record, which was set at 12 million.

“Taun-taon naman dumadami ang debosyon. Our strength is numbers. Marami na last year, madadagdagan pa this year,” Coronal said in a press conference at the Pope Benedict building in Quiapo, Manila.

(Yearly, the number of devotees rises. Our strength is numbers. There were many last year and it will grew bigger this year.)

Coronal urged participants to refrain from pushing other devotees in the procession and give way to one another instead to avoid injuries or any untoward incident.

“Magbigayan tayo sa isa’t isa. Alam nating gusto nating makalapit pero isipin natin ang kapwa natin deboto. ‘Wag tayong magbalyahan,” he said.

(Let us share with one another. We know we want to get near but let us think of our fellow devotee. Let us not push each other.)

Manila Police District Director Rolando Nana also asked the devotees not to bring backpacks, pointed umbrellas, bull caps, firecrackers and expensive jewelry.

Manila Vice Mayor Franciso “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said devotees under the influence of alcohol will not be allowed to participate.

Pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and children are also discouraged and prohibited to join the procession. RAM

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