MANILA -- It’s all systems go for 'Traslacion 2018' or the procession of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday.
"Rain or shine, we will push through. That is what was agreed upon, except when a disaster happens," Fr. Douglas Badong, Parochial Vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church, said in an interview after the special Mass for volunteers at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Monday morning.
Meanwhile, activities for the actual feast day will start with the midnight mass to be celebrated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
At 4 a.m., the morning prayer will be held before the start of the grand procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church along Quezon Blvd.
Minor changes were made in the procession route specifically in the earlier part. From Quirino Grandstand (Independence Road), the procession will turn right to Katigbak Drive then straight to P. Burgos (westbound lane) going to P. Burgos (southbound lane) through Jones Bridge.
"Based on our previous experience, it gets narrow at the National Museum in Padre Burgos as well as at the Lagusnilad Bridge and at the Cloverleaf (flyover). This time, it will be wider, safer en route to Jones Bridge," Badong said.
The procession will then turn right to Dasmariñas, turn right again towards Plaza Santa Cruz, turn left to Palanca St., turn left to Quezon Blvd, turn right to Arlegui St., turn right to Fraternal St., turn right to Vergara St., turn left to Duque de Alba, turn left to Castillejos St., turn left to Farnecio St., turn right to Arlegui St., turn left to Nepomuceno St. (counter-flow), turn left to Aguila St., turn right to Carcer St., turn right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, turn left to Bilibid Viejo St. through Puyat, turn left to Guzman St., turn right to Hidalgo St., turn left to Bautista St. (Barbosa), turn right to Globo de Oro through under Quezon Bridge, turn right to Palanca St., then turn right to Villalobos St. through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church.
The Quiapo Church official noted that the "andas" (carriage) carrying the image has also undergone the necessary checks to ensure it can withstand the entire procession.
"It is already set for tomorrow (Tuesday). We already made sure that it is sturdy and that anything broke should have been fixed already. So far, there are no reports that it is not ok," he added.
With this, organizers also reminded those who are planning to join the procession that they should be physically and spiritually prepare for the activity.
Likewise, the devotees are discouraged from wearing valuable things such as watches and jewelry. They were also reminded to respect the environment by not leaving their trash behind and to bring their own transparent garbage bags.
On the other hand, the volunteers were urged to take the lead in showing the devotees the love of Jesus Christ.
"There will be different kinds of devotees... hungry, tired devotees. Still, we have to make them feel the presence of our Beloved Nazarene. It is simply by doing each of our missions and make others feel the presence of Christ," said Badong in his homily. (PNA)
