LOOK: 360,000 early birds at Luneta for Nazarene ‘Pahalik’

Policemen in uniform (middle, background) mix with devotees of the Black Nazarene as hundreds of thousands gather early Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, for the ‘Pahalik’ at the Quirino Grandstand. INQUIRER.NET / CATHY MIRANDA

More than 360, 000 devotees had trooped to the Quirino Grandstand early Tuesday morning for the annual “Pahalik” of the Black Nazarene hours before the slated Traslacion 2018.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said the crowd estimate at the Grandstand was 365,000 as of 3:30 a.m., while those at the Quiapo Church were more or less 20,000.

Police and medical kiosks were set up around the route of the Traslacion to assist devotees.

No untoward incident were reported.

MPD spokesperson Supt. Erwin Margarejo said the traditional Pahalik was generally “peaceful,” and around 7,000 uniformed personnel were on the ground to secure the procession.

The week-long feast that started last Dec. 31, 2017 and will culminate with the Traslacion, recalls the transfer on Jan. 9, 1787, of a copy of the image of the Black Nazarene from its original site at the San Nicolas Tolentino church in Intramuros to the Quiapo church. /cbb

‘Pahalik’ organizers talk on stage at the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. INQUIRER.NET / PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS

Devotees of the Black Nazarene patiently wait for the start of the ‘Pahalik sa Nasareno’ at the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. INQUIRET.NET / PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS

Some 360,000 had gathered at the Quirino Grandstand as early as 3:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, for the ‘Pahalik’  of the Black Nazarene. INQUIRER.NET / PATHRICIA ANN ROXAS

A singer and two dancers enliven the stage before dawn Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, ahead of the ‘Pahalik’ of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand. INQUIRER.NET / CATHY MIRANDA