8-M+ devotees expected at Nazareno fiesta

Poong Nazareno devotees who will participate in the procession of the image of Jesus the Nazarene on Jan. 9 are expected to exceed the eight million participants recorded last year, according to Quiapo church officials.

Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno technical adviser Alex Irasga said the event will no longer be called Black Nazarene or Traslacion.

“The new name is Feast of Jesus Nazarene or Jesus Nazarene Feast. We want to remind everyone that what we are celebrating here is not the color, not the procession, but the image of Jesus Nazarene,” Irasga said.

He added they are expecting the number of participants to be higher than last year.

“Because life is getting harder, the number of those who seem to be losing hope is increasing, I expect this number to increase. I always observe that when there is an increase in the number of people who are struggling, more people go to our Señor (Nazareno),” Irasga said.

“We have two bridges that will be closed until our image can cross. That’s the Ayala and Carlos Palanca bridges. The bridges will be closed starting evening of Jan. 8 until our image can cross. We also have three major intersections that will be closed,” Irasga added. 

These are the intersections of Roxas Boulevard, Katigbak Driveway and Burgos. The intersections of Ayala Blvd. and Romualdez before going up the Ayala bridge will also be closed.

“We ask those who want to go to the Grandstand or join the procession from the Grandstand until they reach Quiapo, that the bridges they may take are McArthur, Jones, Roxas bridges near Intramuros and the Nagtahan Bridge heading towards Otis and UN Avenue,” Irasga added.

He also asked devotees not to attempt to climb the float. “Please do not climb the Andas. It is very high if you jump, you will definitely get hurt,” he said.