PREPARATIONS begin today at the bayside Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, with the “pahalik” tradition leading to 30 Masses culminating with the traditional Misa Mayor presided over by Cardinal Jose Advincula at midnight of Jan. 9.
The Tagalog term “pahalik” means kissing the image of Jesus Nazareno but some just touch or wipe their handkerchiefs and other pieces of cloth on it.
The celebration officially began on Dec. 31 with a Novena Mass, followed by the blessing of replica images and banners by Quiapo priests on Jan. 2.
Highlight of the feast is the Traslacion, a grand procession of the revered image of Jesus Nazareno accompanied by millions of devotees from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, a distance of 3.3 kilometers.
The longest duration for that distance was recorded in 2019 at 21 hours and 13 minutes, compared to last year’s 14 hours and 59 minutes, the latter attended by 6.5 million devotees from 5 am to 6 pm, according to Quiapo Church authoriies.
The feast is now a nationwide celebration following its declaration in 2024 as a national liturgical feast, but President Marcos declared Jan. 9 as a special non-working day only in Manila, the center of the celebration.
The presidential proclamation, following the request of he Manila local government unit, is aimed at ensuring orderly procession of devotees and facilitating the flow of traffic in the country’s capital of 1.8 million.
Police and the military have ramped up security measures to ensure the safety of devotees.
More than 14,000 police officers from the National Capital Region Office will be deployed to secure the route millions of devotees, many barefooted, will walk through under an expected 29°C weather, with scattered showers and humidity at 75 percent.
The Armed Forces will also deploy units to assist the National Police in securing the annual Traslacion.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said extensive preparations are in place and they have coordinated with local government units, religious groups and other agencies.
Specialized units trained in crowd control will help maintain order and ensure the smooth flow of participants.
The PNP Intelligence Group and Anti-Cybercrime Group will closely monitor potential threats, both physical and digital.
Medical teams and quick-response units will be strategically stationed, and traffic management will be handled by the Highway Patrol Group and local enforcers to minimize disruptions.
We are assured the celebration is in good hands.
