IN an outpouring of faith and devotion, thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene flocked to Quiapo and braved the afternoon rain on Thursday to take part in the procession of replicas of Christ’s iconic statue, two days before the grand ”traslacion“ on Jan. 9.
About 35,000 devotees from different parts of the country joined the procession, which started at around 2 p.m.
Police Chief Insp. John Guiagui, commander of the Plaza Miranda police station, said around 2,000 security personnel from the Manila Police District were deployed to the area to ensure the safety of participants.
Guiagui told INQUIRER.net that the procession of replicas was some sort of a final preparation for the day-long procession of the Black Nazarene on Saturday, which was expected to draw millions of devotees.
”It’s a final preparation for Jan. 9. The peace and order situation was generally peaceful, wala naman po tayong insidente, wala naman po tayong nakitang aberya,“ Guiagui said in an interview.
”We are anticipating millions of devotees and we are expecting na aabutin tayo ng gabi o madaling araw pa. All systems are going on. We are 100 percent ready, we have about 4,000 personnel to be deployed,“ he added.
The atmosphere during the procession was festive, as devotees pulled, carried, and raised their statues, some even to the beat of drums, to be blessed by Quiapo parish and guest priests who were stationed at a footbridge near the church.
One participant, 31-year-old Ryan Liwanag of Tondo, Manila, a devotee of 15 years, said he was joining the annual procession to be closer to God. Liwanag said he once asked the Black Nazarene for a child of his own, a prayer which came true.
”Namamanata ako para itaas ang sarili ko sa kanya at mailigtas ang mga tao sa paligid, at para mapabuti pa ang pamilya, mga anak ko,“ Liwanag said.
Old age did not stop 61-year-old Belen Biteño of Sta. Mesa, who was now a devotee of 13 years.
”Nung una sumasama-sama lang ako hanggang sa natutunan kong sumama sa balangay namin… Unang una para sa kapanatagan ng pamilya saka sa pamumuhay namin,“ she said.
When the church’s replica of the Nazarene came out at around 5 p.m., devotees flocked the ”andas“ in an apparent chaos as they threw their handkerchiefs to be wiped over the image.
As of writing, Guiagui said no major injuries or crime incidents were reported during the replica procession, except for cases of devotees who experienced nausea.
”We just have one case kanina ng pandurukot pero hindi dito sa paligid ng simbahan, malapit sa Isetann. Hindi po siya totally related sa ating procession,“ he added, noting that 21 new closed-circuit television cameras were installed in the area for the traslacion.
The procession of replicas traversed a route starting from Plaza Miranda through Villalobos Street, left to Quezon Boulevard, right to Recto Avenue, right to Loyola Street, right to Bilibid Viejo through Puyat Street, left to Guzman/Mendoza Street, right to Hidalgo street, left to Barbosa Street, right to Globo de Oro Street, right to Palanca Street, right to Villalobos Street through Plaza Miranda, then ingress at Quiapo Church.
Guiagui also urged the devotees to make sure that they are physically and mentally prepared before joining the day-long procession on Saturday.
”Let’s check and maintain ‘yung health condition natin bago tayo sumalang sa Jan. 9 dahil napakarami pong tao, siksikan, kung sakaling hindi uulan, mainit naman. Kung kayo ay may sakit baka ma-trigger pa,“ he said.
Guiagui said participants should not insist on getting near or climbing the andas at the expense of safety.
”At the same time wag po tayong magpapakalasing. Bago magpunta ng prusisyon wag na pong magdala ng mga bata at yung mga buntis po ay hindi nating hinihikayat na pumunta pa o umakyat sa andas. Pwede naman po tayong manalangin habang dumadaan ang ating Poong Nazareno,“ Guiagui said.
He also reiterated authorities’ call to the public not to bring backpacks, umbrellas, expensive gadgets and jewelry, excessive amount of money, and wear baseball caps. In case of rain, Guiagui said devotees should bring transparent raincoats.
”Hindi po natin kailangan ang alahas dito, ang tanging ating dadalhin lang po ay ang ating panata sa Poong Nazareno,“ he said.
The image of the cross-bearing Jesus, which arrived in the country in 1607, was believed to have attained its ebony hue for catching fire while on its way to the Philippines from Mexico.
PHOTOS BY YUJI VINCENT GONZALES/INQUIRER.net