Thousands flock to Quirino Grandstand on first day of ‘Pahalik’

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of devotees began to flock to Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday, the first day of Pahalik or the touching of the wooden ebony image of Lord Jesus Christ.

Many of the devotees who queued during the Pahalik are senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other individuals who chose not to join the millions of crowds in the upcoming Traslacion procession, which saw casualties in the past.

The crowd estimate from the Manila Police District was pegged at 4,000 as of 9 p.m., or a few hours after the beginning of Pahalik.

Fewer injuries due to tents

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) road emergency group, which has a first aid station in front of the grandstand, has yet to record any serious casualties.

MMDA medic Micah Pauline Navarro said their team has only responded to dozens of incidents, including headaches, vomiting, minor wounds and bruises, among others.

Navarro, who has been assigned to the same station for nine years, noted that the number of devotees needing medical attention has greatly decreased compared to previous years.

She attributed this to the tents installed, which provided shade and heat relief to queuing devotees.

“The lines in past years were opened; there was no cover,” Navarro told Inquirer. “Before, more people complained of high blood pressure and heat stroke during the noontime.

“The number of patients is much less now,” she also said.

Almost 24 hour wait, marriage proposal

The touching and handkerchief-wiping on the image began at around 7:30 p.m., according to marshalls in the area.

The first in line for Pahalik had to wait for almost 24 hours.

READ: Nazareno 2026: First in line for ‘Pahalik’ endures almost 24-hour wait

Elinor Ruallo, a housewife and resident of Las Piñas City, said she decided to be an early bird to avoid long lines, but she did not expect waiting for long, enduring hunger, thirst, and heat as she camped outside.

“I’ve been here since last night (Tuesday),” Ruallo, who waited for more than 23 hours, told the Inquirer. “I just get here early every time because I don’t like long queues.”

Millions of devotees have different petitions to God, and the Las Piñas native and former overseas Filipino worker is seeking good health and employment.

“I have diabetes, so I am praying for my wounds to be healed,” she said. “I am also praying that I could return to Japan.”

A surprise marriage proposal also broke the monotony of the line of devotees.

A small commotion occurred in the open grounds of the grandstand when Justin Jade Cunanan, 31, knelt to offer an engagement ring to his longtime girlfriend, Ela Sebastian, 29.

Cunanan is also an “hijo” which refers to male devotees who serve as marshals for the Black Nazarene image, while Sebastian is an “angel” or a female marshal.

“Actually, I have a duty later,” Sebastian told Inquirer.

READ: Nazareno 2026: First in line for ‘Pahalik’ endures almost 24-hour wait

The Pahalik in Quirino Grandstand will continue until Jan. 9, Friday, or before the procession which will begin in the area.

The annual procession is a reenactment of the 1787 Traslacion—which literally means “solemn transfer”—of the image from its original shrine in Bagumbayan, the present Rizal Park near the Quirino Grandstand, to Quiapo Church.

The original Black Nazarene image was carved from mesquite wood by an unknown sculptor and was brought from Mexico to Manila on May 31, 1606.

It was partially destroyed in 1945 during the battle for Manila in the Second World War. /cb