Metro Manila, Philippines – At least 300 devotees received aid as of Friday noon, Jan. 9, after experiencing medical issues while participating in the Black Nazarene procession in the City of Manila.
In a briefing, Traslacion spokesperson Robert Arellano said incidents of medical problems are common and expected during the annual procession.
“Mahigit 300 po ‘yung mga recorded na nagsugod for medical concerns. Iba-iba pa po itong concerns. Currently, may 13 cases na binabantayan po tayo pero wala pa naman tayong report verified on their critical level,” Arellano said.
[Translation: More than 300 people were sent to hospitals for medical concerns. These are from various concerns. Currently there are 13 cases that we are monitoring but we do not have a report verified yet on their critical level.]
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported assisting a total of 465 patients as of 12 p.m. on Jan. 9 as part of its operations for the Feast of the Jesus Nazarene, which began on Jan. 8.
It said most involved vital signs monitoring and minor injuries, while 10 were major cases such as headaches, deep lacerations, and puncture injuries.
The PRC said four cases transferred to the Philippine General Hospital were unresponsive patients with severe headache and chest pains.
Other cases in nearby hospitals included dislocated joints and fractured bones.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security reported that tabloid newspaper photojournalist Itoh Son died while covering Traslacion.
As of 11 a.m., Arellano said data estimates show at least 500,000 Catholic faithfuls have participated in the procession.
Traslacion Incident Command Head Alex Irasga said it took six and a half hours for the “andas” bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno to reach Carlos Palanca road across the Ayala Bridge.
He added that it took another hour for the carriage to cross the following two kilometers from the bridge. At the half point of Arlegui street, he said at least 11 hours had passed from when the image left Quirino Grandstand.
“‘Yung natitirang 2.8 kilometers might be around nine to 10 hours,” he said. “Kung magpapatuloy ang ganyang pace, baka maulit yung 2025 na oras na 21 hours.”
[Translation: The remaining 2.8 kilometers might take nine to 10 hours…If that pace continues, the 2025 time of 21 hours might be maintained.]
Irasga said the Traslacion is expected to end at around 2 or 3 a.m. Saturday.
