Start of Traslacion 2018 ‘unusual, different’ – priest

A Quiapo Church official said the start of this year’s Traslacion of the Black Nazarene early Tuesday was the most “organized and peaceful” so far.

In an ambush interview while the Nazarene andas (carriage) was inching away from the Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said that in his three-year experience, he saw many improvements with the beginning of Traslacion 2018.

“This year kakaiba eh. Iba kasi sa usual na nakikita natin. Dati magulo yung stage ngayon tahimik. Syempre sa tulong ng mga servicemen natin. Salamat sa Diyos na nandyan sila,” Badong told reporters.

The church official also noted that a lot of devotees this year remained disciplined and calm.

“Hindi dumumog yung mga tao talagang hinintay nila at least makaporma lang yung andas,” he pointed out.

“Actually yun talaga ang objective namin yung mailagay sa parade ground tapos ok na compared last year kasi nagpabalik balik kami dito atras abante. Pero ngayon, dito palang smooth. Yung mga tao hindi sumugod walang tao sa ibabaw ng stage habang binababa yung andas,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said it was too early to predict how long would it take for the procession to reach Quiapo Church, despite their goal of a 12-hour Traslacion.

Badong likewise reminded the anticipated million devotees of the Nazarene that “blessings” await those who are responsible.

“Wala naman parusa ang ‘di sumusunod. Ang Diyos naman di nagpaparusa e pero yung mga sumunod talagang swertehin. May blessing na matatanggap,” he said.

The week-long religious rites that started on 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