THREE days from today, the annual Black Nazarene Traslacion in Manila, whose roots began in 1606, will cap events and prayers leading up to it, with devotees already gathering this week at the Quiapo Church.
The original Nazareno statue was brought by Augustinian Recollects in 1606 to the Philippines from Mexico via a galleon ship and enshrined in their church in Bagumbayan, now Luneta, with its dark color attributed to a fire on the ship or natural aging of the wood.
The early Friday morning procession from Quirino Grandstand at the sprawling :Luneta back to Quiapo Church will will mark the commemoration of the image’s transfer for the past 239 years – the solemn transfer from its original location to its current home, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, in 1787.
Police have been mobilized, and road closures will be implemented around the route in the country’s national capital city of nearly two million.
Large large crowds as in the past – except during the pandemic years – and significant traffic disruptions in Manila, especially around Quiapo, have started and will intensifying on Friday.
For safety and order, from 15,000 to 18,000 police personnel are being deployed across Manila and major areas along the nearly 6.5-km route, based on the 19-hour journey through Manila’s streets last year.
The police force is augmented by units from nearby regional offices (Central Luzon and Calabarzon), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Police will be strategically positioned along the route to manage the thick crowds of devotees and onlookers and ensure an orderly flow, with the Highway Patrol Group managing traffic, and specific roads will be closed, with alternate routes provided.
Specialized intelligence and anti-cybercrime groups have started monitoring both physical and digital threats to the event, augmented by the use of drones and CCTV cameras to provide real-time situational awareness and command control.
Preparations began months in advance with coordination meetings involving the Manila city government, Quiapo Church officials, the Metro Manila Development Authority and medical teams.
It is heartening to note that walkthroughs and dry runs of the route have been conducted to assess crowd pressure points and emergency access lanes.
The Traslación combines deep religious devotion, belief in miracles, and cultural expression and unites millions of devotees in a powerful, communal act of faith and sacrifice.
The image has survived several disasters like fires, earthquakes, and the bombing of Manila in World War II, further solidifying its legendary status among the faithful.
The Traslación is not just a religious ritual but a deep cultural expression where faith, history, and personal vows converge into a spectacular, hours-long demonstration of unwavering devotion.
