TEMPORARILY HOUSING the andas of the venerated image of Jesus Nazareno at the Minor Basilica of San Sebastian after this year’s Dungaw was supposedly a historic moment for the 10th anniversary of the tradition.
In a message after the Dungaw tradition, Quiapo Church Rector Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan told the devotees the carriage would temporarily be sheltered at the minor basilica, and would be brought back to Quiapo “in due time.”
“Nasaksihan niyo po ang isang kasaysayan na hindi pa nasasaksihan ng ilang siglo. Ngayon lang, nandito, sa ikasampung taon, makikita natin ang pag-uwi ng anak sa kaniyang nanay,” Licuanan said.
But midway toward the entrance gates of the basilica, Nazareno devotees started to pull the andas back to Quiapo Church.
Licuanan said he was surprised by the reaction of the crowd as he, along with the people inside the Basilica, was already in place to welcome the Jesus Nazareno, despite the supposedly “unexpected” visit.
“When I got down, papunta na dito sa gate, kaya papasalubong na nga ako. Then I was later informed na biglang bumalik,” Licuanan said.
The rector however said did not blame the devotees.
“Meron kasing ibang very much excited and eager na dumaan du’n sa lugar nila and to take part in the remaining segments ng Traslacion. So we don’t know,” Licuanan added.
At that point of the procession, the Traslacion had been going on for more than 24 hours, prompting this initiative from the church officials.
Out of three goals for this year’s festivities—“solemn, safe, and sound”—safety was compromised, Licuanan said.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Licuanan noted how challenging it was for everyone, especially for 20,000 volunteers, who nursed the injured and maintained the peace of the surroundings for several hours.
“So as to avoid further cases, we found that this is the best solution. And ang maganda rito, God works in mysterious ways. Hindi ko rin ma-comprehend. Ito pala ang ika-sampung taon na may dungaw sa San Sebastian. Na ang nanay, nakikipagtagpo, nagpunta sila ng kanyang anak. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, what a manifestation of God telling us this is the right time na gawin ito,’” Licuanan said.
Traslación 2026 concluded at 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, drawing a record-breaking 9.6 million devotees and a runtime of 30 hours and 50 minutes, according to the Quiapo Church Traslación Terminal Report. Yuvshenka Andrea R. Osea with reports from Reya Vincent P. Misa
