Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Excitement continued to build up at the Quiapo church — or the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene — Saturday evening (January 9) as the annual procession covered more than half of its six-kilometer trek.
According to the church’s official Twitter account, the crowd in and out of the Minor Basilica area was estimated at 700,000 by around 11 p.m., while the number of devotees at the procession was pegged at 502,000. It added that no untoward incidents were reported yet.
Before this, the police estimated the crowd at the church by 6 p.m. to be around 200,000. Hourly masses — which started at 3 a.m. — were scheduled to be celebrated until 11p.m.
Devout Catholics said they didn’t mind the long wait — some since Friday evening.
The Black Nazarene was estimated to be back inside the Quiapo church between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. of Sunday, January 10.
Meanwhile, more devotees continued to pour in as the Traslacion made its way through Arlegui Street.
Related: Traslacion starts earlier, moves faster this year
More policemen, as well as more medics and firetrucks, were stationed in the area.
Two people were taken on stretchers after they fainted from fatigue. Both patients had been immediately released afterwards.
Medics said most of the injuries involved minor lacerations resulting from devotees walking barefoot.
CNN Philippines’ Cecille Lardizabal , Anna Estanislao and Camille Abadicio contributed to this report.
