SAFE FEAST. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna speaks during the press conference about the preparations for the Traslacion 2024 at the Quiapo Church in Manila on Thursday (Jan. 4, 2024). The mayor urged devotees joining the activities for the feast of the Black Nazarene to wear face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – The city government of Manila on Thursday encouraged devotees joining Traslacion ( transfer) activities for the feast of the Black Nazarene to wear face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In a media briefing for the Traslacion 2024, Mayor Honey Lacuna said face masks would be distributed along Villalobos St. for those who would attend Masses from Jan. 8 to 9.
“Lalo na mga Hijos del Nazareno, ang pakiusap sa mga barangay at deboto at sa mga sasama sa prusisyon na sila ay magsuot ng masks (Especially for our Hijos del Nazareno, our call for the villages, the devotees and those who would join the procession, they should wear masks),” the mayor added.
Lacuna, however, assured that Covid-19 cases in the city are still manageable.
“Tumataas ang bilang ng Covid, although controlled. Sa Manila, di naman mataas ang nag positive, pero to avoid any surge kung talaga gusto natin magtuloy tuloy ang Traslacion 2024, Sana mag-cooperate tayo (We have seen a rise in Covid cases, although this is controlled. In Manila, it's not that high, but if we want to avoid any surge and we want the Traslacion 2024 to push through, let's cooperate),” Lacuna said.
She also assured the public that the local government in Manila is ready to secure both the safety and health of those joining the annual feast.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, said, a "no-fly zone" policy will be implemented along the route of the procession.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said around 15,200 policemen will secure the key areas and the procession routes of the Black Nazarene in Manila.
“The figure is based on the last Traslacion. The RD (regional director) of NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) is requesting additional forces and we are considering that and we will be getting augmentation from nearby regions,” Acorda told reporters.
He added that signal jamming in areas within Quiapo Church is still being discussed with the NCRPO and may be imposed on the day of the feast.
He also said that no terror threat to the annual feast has been monitored so far.
Enclosed andas
Alex Irasga, adviser of Nazareno 2024, said they decided to add enclosure on the andas to protect the image and to revert to the old practice, of not allowing devotees to climb the carriage.
“Ang paglalagay nito ay para maibalik ang dating nakagisnan na ang tanging senor lang nakikita at hindi ang mga Hjios (del Nazareno). Dagdag na ma-protect ang imahe at dahil hindi na din matibay ang bahagi ng ating imahen (This measure is for us to bring back the tradition that only the image would be seen and not the Hijos. It also serves as an added protection for the image because our image is not that sturdy anymore),” he explained.
The andas can accommodate 10 Hijos each on either side (left and right), who will secure the vehicle. It measures 2.5 meters wide and 3 meters long.
The carriage was constructed for three months in Metro Manila. The enclosure is made of tempered glass, a combination of glass and plastic.
“Ganitong klase din ang ginamit sa fiesta ng Peñafrancia (Bicol) and Pope mobile during the 2015 Pope’s visit (This kind was used in the Peñafrancia feast in Bicol and the Pope mobile during the 2015 Pope's visit). It has LED lights, sound system and CCTV camera for security monitoring ,” Irasga added.
Devotees' reaction
Kent Velasco, 31, from Pandacan, Manila supports the decision to enclose the andas in order to protect the image.
“Okay lang naman, ang importante mayroon na ulit prusisyon na dadaluhan namin (It's okay. What is important is the procession that we used to attend is back),” he said.
However, another devotee, Ester Santos, 50, of Tondo, Manila would like the andas to be opened, so that the people will be able to clearly see the image.
“Mas gusto ko walang harang ang Poong Nazareno para mas kita at mas dama namin sya, katulad ng dati (I would like that the image of the Black Nazarene has no enclosure so that we can see him clearly and we can feel his presence better, like in the past),” she added.
On the other hand, Fr. Jun Sescon Jr., rector of Quiapo Church, noted devotees can still throw clothes, towels and handkerchiefs to the Hijos, who will wipe the image for them.
It was in the year 2000, when devotees started climbing the andas.
“Around year 2000 nag-start na mga tao na sumampa. Hindi siya part ng devotion, ang kwento, ang mga pumapanhik ay hinihila pababa. Ang kadalasan lang ay para makapunas sa imahe (The devotees just started to climb the andas in 2000. It's not part of the devotion. Earlier stories said those climbing are being pulled down. Oftentimes, they just want to climb to wipe the image),” he said.
Organizers are expecting two million devotees to participate in the two-week celebration which started on Dec. 30.
Before the grand procession, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will lead the Fiesta Mass at midnight on Tuesday at the Quirino Grandstand.
This year’s theme is “Ibig po naming makita si Hesus.” (We want to see Jesus). (PNA)
