THE MINOR Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, Manila city government, and other national agencies are ready for the Traslación procession on Friday, Jan. 9, according to the inter-agency press conference held on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Here are the schedule of festivities, the procession route, safety measures and protocols, and road closures to be implemented during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.
Schedule of Masses
A total of 33 Masses will be celebrated hourly without interruption at Quiapo Church, starting at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8. The Fiesta Masses will last until 11 p.m. on Jan. 9.
The Misa Mayor, set at 12 midnight of Friday, will be presided over by Balanga Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr., a former rector of Quiapo Church.
The Mass will be followed by a vigil and a youth program until the early morning, when the signal for the start of the Traslación will be given.
Quiapo Church rector Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan urged the devotees to prioritize attending the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, as it remains the “heart” of the celebration.
Fr. Robert Arellano, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, also stressed the importance of attending Mass aside from joining the procession.
“Before attending the annual Traslacion, every devotee should attend Mass, because this is the most important part of our celebration. Even if you join the procession for 24 hours, it will never equal the celebration of the Holy Eucharist,” Arellano said during the media briefing.
Traslacion route
This year’s procession will follow the same route as last year, beginning at Quirino Grandstand and ending at Quiapo Church.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said the City Engineering Office had confirmed that all bridges along the route, including Quezon Bridge, Arlegui Bridge, Palanca Bridge, Ayala Bridge, and other connecting bridges, had been evaluated and deemed to be in fair condition.
The National Capital Region Police Office will also deploy 15,000 personnel along the procession route.
Domagoso reiterated the theme of the feast, urging cooperation and humility among devotees.
“Bilang pagtugon sa panawagan at adhikain at tema ng Kapistahan, itaas natin ang Diyos, ibaba ang sarili,” he said.
Improvements for the andas
Quiapo Church technical adviser Alex Irasga said improvements were made to the andas or carroza of the Nazareno image, especially to its internal structure.
This year’s andas will still be made of steel and stainless materials and will have a glass enclosure.
The old three-wheel mechanism has been replaced with four wheels, with steering, brakes, and underchassis for improved balance and control.
The rear enclosure is perforated to allow airflow and prevent the glass from fogging.
The alterations will limit the number of devotees who can climb on the andas. The Nazareno image’s cross that protrudes to the back of the andas has been shortened to prevent devotees from clinging to it.
To address the recurring issue of the carriage rope snapping, organizers prepared a backup rope that is 30 meters long, allowing for immediate replacement anywhere along the route.
The Quiapo official also said that four hijos-pulis, police officers who are Nazareno devotees, will be stationed on the carriage’s corners to manage the crowd.
He urged older devotees to lead youth in attending Mass instead of climbing the andas, warning of physical risks.
“Pwede po tayong humila ng lubid, sumalya, mangandila, manalangin, at magwagayway ng panyo—huwag na lang po sumampa sa andas,” Irasga said.
Other Traslacion details
Assistant Secretary Gloria Balboa of the Department of Health said 20 emergency health response teams, including 206 medical professionals, would be deployed to the Quiapo procession.
Ambulances, medical supplies, and first aid stations are also ready to assist devotees at key points along the route, she said.
Media coordination centers will be stationed at Kartilya ng Katipunan and P. Gomez Street. With reports from Vince Alfred M. Pillagara
