MANILA – Organizers of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno urged devotees to follow the guidelines set for all the activities leading to the annual procession or Traslacion on January 9.
Quiapo Church rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr. noted that adhering to the rules will make the “Nazareno 2025” feast safe and organized.
“We call on devotees to understand that expressing faith also involves obedience. We are simply returning to the old devotion, where Jesus Nazareno is truly the main focus,” Sescon said in a press conference Monday.
Nazareno 2025 adviser Alex Irasga said the traditional “pahalik” or veneration of the Jesus Nazareno will begin at Rizal Park’s Quirino Grandstand at midnight on January 7.
The activity will run until Jan. 9 even after the start of the “Traslacion” from the grandstand en route to the minor basilica in Quezon Boulevard.
“The line for the pahalik will run through the usual area of Roxas Boulevard via Kalaw Extension and will be manned by the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority),” he said.
Devotees are encouraged to sanitize and wipe the image but are discouraged from kissing the Jesus Nazareno.
‘Traslacion’
Participants are allowed to bring small, single-hand replicas of the Nazareno, transparent raincoats/poncho, shoes and slippers, small cameras, wheelchair, single seat portable chairs, small flashlights, small candles, clear plastic garbage bags, and waste bags.
They are discouraged from climbing the andas (carriage) carrying the image of the Nazareno and must not block the procession route and withhold the ropes attached to the andas.
Likewise prohibited are the carrying of medium to life-sized religious images, banners, andas, deadly weapons, pyrotechnics, drone cameras, selfie sticks, professional cameras, large bags, blankets, portable appliances, liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, stoves and tents.
They are also not allowed to bring umbrellas, alcoholic beverages, smoking and vaping items, laser pointers, large metal objects, scooters and skates, vehicles and bicycles, heavy meals, plastic and glass bottles, food sticks, pets, and jackets. (PNA)