Traslación after Pandemic: Nazareno 2024 Dos and Don’ts

MANILA, Philippines – Authorities from Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene released dos and don’ts Wednesday for the upcoming Traslacion 2024

This is the first time that the traditional procession will be held in the city following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past three years, Quiapo Church officials and the Manila City government opted out of the custom of carrying the image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 infections,

Dos:

• Children and people suffering from illnesses are recommended to just remain on the side of the road for their own safety.
• Devotees should eat before the commencement of Traslacion to ensure they have the energy to take part in the procession.
• Devotees can still throw handkerchiefs and towels at the Black Nazarene picture at Quiapo Church.
• Carrying the “pingga” or the lever, including the pulling of rope, is also permitted, but must be done in a safe and careful manner.

Dont’s:

• To avoid spoiling the view of the Black Nazarene figure, authorities prevented devotees from climbing the “andas” or the carriage.
• To avoid injuries, devotees are advised to refrain from pushing other procession participants.
• Quiapo Church additionally urged devotees not to bring too much and heavy valuables. They are likewise encouraged to use transparent bags for swift inspection.

How it was in 2023

During the past celebrations, Quiapo officials opted for the “Walk of Faith” procession, replacing the traditional Traslacion rites in order to contain the spread of the virus during the event. The “Walk of Faith” procession traversed the same Traslación route from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

There was also no image carried during the “Walk of Faith” procession to control the influx of devotees from wiping the image during the procession.

Aside from replacing the Traslacion with the “Walk of Faith” procession, the customary “Pahalik” was likewise suspended and instead called “Pagpupugay.”

“Pagpupugay” is the equivalent of “Pahalik,” which is kissing the Black Nazarene image. In order to keep bodily fluids from spreading when worshiping the image, devotees are only allowed to wipe off their towels and touch the image.

Tightened security

In a separate interview, the Philippine National Police said that the police force is eyeing to deploy 13,691 police officers during the procession to cater to the estimated 2.5 million devotees who will join this year’s festivities.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday that the PCG will help the police authorities tighten the security measures during the procession, and will help deploy Coast Guard K9 units to conduct paneling at the Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge, and within Quiapo Church.

In addition to providing additional crowd control officers, PCG troops will support security forces by conducting coastal patrols on Coast Guard-affiliated floating assets in the waters surrounding Pasig River and Manila Bay (behind Quirino Grandstand). 

“The Philippine Coast Guard is one with the Philippine National Police and religious organizers for the successful, safe, and peaceful conduct of the Black Nazarene Traslacion, a time-honored Roman Catholic tradition,” CG Admiral Gavan said.

Medical teams will also be on standby to aid the devotees during the procession, according to the PCG.