TRASLACIÓN, the annual mammoth procession of the revered image of Jesus Nazareno on Friday, Jan. 9, is expected to draw more than eight million devotees—likely exceeding last year’s crowd count—according to a Quiapo official.
Alex Irasga, technical management adviser and incident management head for the Nazareno festival, said one reason for the anticipated increase is the growing sense of uncertainty and diminished hope among Filipinos amid mounting life challenges.
“Lumalaki na talaga ang bilang ng mga namamanata sa ating Mahal na Señor dahil sa tumitinding suliranin sa pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Para bang nawawalan sila ng pag-asa na makaahon sa kanilang mga problema, kaya ipinagpapasa-Diyos nila ito at dinadaan kay Hesukristo sa Quiapo, sa imahen ng Hesus Nazareno,” Irasga told the Varsitarian.
Irasga cited a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released in December 2025 showing that the proportion of Filipinos expressing optimism and hope for the New Year had dipped to 89 percent, from 90 percent in 2024. The figure matches the 2009 level—the lowest recorded in 16 years.
He added that the feast’s observance on a Friday could also contribute to the expected surge in devotees.
“Kapag weekend at walang pasok, walang pumipigil na trabaho para sa mga deboto na pumunta ng Quiapo o sa Grandstand. Itong Jan. 9 ay Biyernes. Puwedeng maging dahilan ito para um-absent ang mga tao kung walang deklarasyon ng holiday sa kanilang lugar, kaya mas marami ang makapupunta,” he said.
Data from the National Capital Region Police Office showed that 8.12 million devotees flocked to Quiapo Church during the Nazareno festivities last year.
Irasga clarified that the figure did not refer solely to the Traslación day and included attendance at various Nazareno-related activities, such as the Misa Mayor, regular Masses at Quiapo Church, spectators along the procession route, and devotees who attended the “Dungaw” at San Sebastian Basilica.
He said Quiapo Church and government authorities were working to shorten the duration of the procession to 15 hours or less—similar to 2024’s completion time of 14 hours, 59 minutes, and 10 seconds. In contrast, the 2023 Traslación lasted 20 hours, 45 minutes, and 4 seconds.
Irasga emphasized that the Church’s foremost priority is to ensure that no lives would be lost during the procession.
“Ang pinakamahalaga sa atin ay wala sanang binibilang na namatay, kaunti lang ang nasasaktan, at minor incidents lamang ang ating mina-manage,” he said.
He also urged devotees from the provinces to join Nazareno celebrations in their own parishes or dioceses to help ease crowd congestion in Manila.
Since last year, the Feast of Jesus Nazareno has been observed as a national liturgical feast across all dioceses nationwide, following approval by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in 2024.
The Misa Mayor is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 12 midnight at the Quirino Grandstand. It will be presided over by Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. of the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan, a former rector of Quiapo Church. Yuvshenka Andrea R. Osea.
