Preparations are complete for the traditional “Pahalik” of the image of Jesus Nazareno which will begin on Tuesday, January 7, at the Quirino Grandstand, officials of the Quiapo Church said Sunday.
Nazareno 2025 and Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano said that before the “Pahalik” starts, a mass for volunteers for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno will take place on Monday, January 6.
“Actually, nakahanda na ang ating ‘Pahalik’ pero hindi pa natin inilalabas ang mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno sa kadahilanang una, we need to give way for the mass sa January 6. Pero simula pagputok ng January 7, ay naroroon na ang mahal na Poong Jesus Nazareno [sa Quirino Grandstand],” Arellano said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
(Actually, our ‘Pahalik’ is ready but we haven’t brought out the image of Jesus Nazareno yet because we need to give way for the mass on January 6. But beginning January 7, Jesus Nazareno will already be at the Quirino Grandstand.)
The “Pahalik” is a tradition where devotees touch or kiss the 400-year-old image of Jesus Nazareno. It will be held from January 7 to 9 this year.
Among the highlights of the feast is the Traslacion, or the procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. Millions of devotees are expected to join the annual celebration.
Fr. Arellano reminded devotees not to climb the Andas or the carriage that bears the image, and observe other rules set for the conduct of the Traslacion.
“Huwag na pong magdala ng mga bag hangga’t kinakailangan kasi nga po mahigpit ang ating security. Kapag ikaw ay may dalang bag, you need to undergo the scanning process. Samantalang kung wala kang bag, mabilis po ‘yan,” he added.
(Don’t bring bags as much as possible because we have tight security. When you are carrying a bag, you need to undergo the scanning process first. If you don’t have a bag, you can proceed much faster.)
LIST: Reminders for Traslacion in Nazareno 2025
Police conducted on Sunday morning a final walk-through of the January 9 route of the Traslacion for Nazareno 2025 in Quiapo, Manila.
More than 14,000 National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) personnel will be deployed in preparation for the feast. Meanwhile, over 1,000 soldiers will assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in securing the event.
‘No serious threat’
So far, the PNP said it has not monitored any serious threat ahead of the Feast’s celebration.
“Sa ngayon, wala naman tayong namo-monitor na ano mang seryosong banta to somehow disrupt ‘yung magiging Pista ng Nazareno, pero hindi tayo nagku-kumpiyansa, may contingency plan po tayong binuo kung saka-sakaling may scenario tayong ma-identify na pwedeng mangyari,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a dzBB interview.
(Right now, we are not monitoring any serious threat that can disrupt the Feast of Jesus Nazarene, but we will not be complacent. We have a contingency plan for any scenario that could happen.)
Fajardo likewise appealed to devotees to follow the rules for Traslacion to avoid injuries. Last year, she said around 800 devotees were hurt.
Aside from PNP medical teams, she said the Department of Health (DOH) and the Red Cross will be deploying emergency health personnel to provide assistance.—RF, GMA Integrated News
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