PNP, church officials set for Nazarene feast

MANILA, Philippines - All is set for the annual feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo church on Jan. 9, an event that is expected to bring millions of devotees nationwide to the busy streets of Manila, Philippine National Police (PNP) and church officials said yesterday.

In a press conference in the church yesterday, organizers and authorities laid down the plan for activities leading to the traditional traslacion or procession of the reportedly miraculous image from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or St. John the Baptist Parish.

Rector and parish priest Msgr. Clem Ignacio said 3,000 volunteers would be deployed to assist the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Manila City government and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council during the event.

He advised pregnant women not to join the crowd anymore and parents not to bring their children.

“Don’t bring expensive stuff. Don’t use firecrackers. For devotees who will carry crosses, don’t drink liquor and respect your fellow faithful. Help one another to avoid accidents,” he appealed.

“Let us understand the devotion to the Black Nazarene. The celebration is to give thanks and praise to the Lord,” Ignacio said.

As an added measure, Fr. Ricardo Valencia, head of the basilica’s operations committee, said they will use a more stable andas or carriage on which the image will be transported during the procession. He said the carriage would have solid, dependable wheels with six spare tires especially built for the occasion by a manufacturer of tires for passenger jeepneys.

NCRPO to deploy 3,000 cops

At least 3,000 policemen would be stationed in 10 command posts along the route of the procession, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leonardo Espina said yesterday. A thousand of those will come from the Manila Police District.

“We have not monitored any eminent threat. But we have to be always on the alert,” he told reporters, adding that the police force will have a dry run on Jan. 5 as part of preparation for the event.

Espina said there are no plans yet to suspend cell phone services along the procession route, like what was done last year to prevent explosive devices from being triggered.

Chief Superintendent Christopher Laxa, NCRPO deputy director for operation, said they will provide additional radio communication devices to police personnel should the government decide to shut down cell phone services.

Get with the program

Events in Quiapo church will start on Monday, Jan. 7, with the procession of replicas of the Black Nazarene around the basilica.

On Jan. 8, Tuesday, the image will be brought to Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and will be open to the public at 1 p.m. for the pahalik or traditional kissing of the image by devotees.

A band parade would follow at 3 p.m. while the overnight vigil at the park will start after the Mass and healing service at 6 p.m.

On the feast day itself, hourly Masses will be celebrated at the Quiapo church from 3 a.m. to noon and again from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

At the Quirino Grandstand, a high Mass will be held at 6 a.m. before the traslacion kicks off at 7 a.m. The procession usually ends at night when the image returns to the church.

Just like last year, the Black Nazarene will pass through 23 roads and streets of Manila, including the stretch of Roxas Boulevard/Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to TM Kalaw’s north and southbound lane, southbound on Quezon Boulevard from Recto to Palanca (subway-Isetann Recto), stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Boulevard, Taft Avenue/Finance (westbound lane), Lagusnilad/P. Burgos (westbound lane), P. Burgos street/Taft Avenue (Freedom Triangle-northbound lane), Villegas/N.A Lopez and 25th street/Bonifacio Drive (southbound).