Authorities estimate 5% increase in crowd for 2018 Feast of Black Nazarene

Devotees raise their hands in praise as the procession of the Black Nazarene last January 09, 2017 passes through Padre Burgos Street in Manila. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ)

Security officials of Quiapo Church are anticipating an increase of around five percent in the total number of devotees that would participate in this year’s week-long celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene from December 31 to January 9.

Citing data from the Quiapo Church, Supt. Lucile Faycho, of the Manila Police District, said a total of 18 million devotees participated in last year’s procession, and they see a “significant increase” in the number of devotees-participants every year.

“Based on the estimates dito po sa simbahan, there was a significant increase yearly,” Faycho said during the press conference on Wednesday.

“So ito po, ineexpect nila na mag-i-increase siya ng five percent this year,” she added.

The week-long celebration started in a Thanksgiving procession that happened last December 31. Novena masses in Quiapo Church would then take place until its culmination on January 9, when the traslacion would be conducted.                /kga