Number of Black Nazarene devotees at ‘pahalik’ rises to 40,000
Replicas of the image of the Black Nazarene line up outside the Quiapo Church prior to a procession leading to Saturday’s celebration of its feast day in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. The annual raucous procession attracts tens of thousands of devotees. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
More than 40,000 devotees joined the traditional “pahalik” or kissing of the Black Nazarene statue at the Quirino Grandstand on Friday.
Paul Hinlo, head security consultant of the Quiapo Church, said 42,380 devotees had been recorded as of 6:50 pm.
READ: More than 23,000 Black Nazarene devotees flock to ‘pahalik’
Despite the continuous surge of devotees, he said the situation was “generally peaceful.”
“No untoward incidents (happened) in our area,” he said, adding that security enforces had been deployed.
As of Friday evening, thousands of devotees continued to arrive at the grandstand with some bringing tents and sleeping materials while waiting for the 12 midnight Mass and vigil.
Portalets have been provided to devotees within the grandstand.
Hinlo said devotees joining the Feast of the Black Nazarene were expected to swell to more than nine million.
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