Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 26)— The grand procession of the Black Nazarene called Traslacion, an annual religious event which typically gathers millions of Filipino devotees, will not take place again in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced on Friday.
The celebration will instead be done through other activities including a motorcade in select areas in the city, Manila City’s Public Information Office (MPIO) said in a statement.
MPIO said the decision was agreed upon by the local government and officials of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as Quiapo Church.
In a separate interview with CNN Philippines, Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong explained that there is still a need to follow health protocols particularly physical distancing.
Badong said he also expects more devotees to grace the event with the lifted curfew in the city.
“So dahil walang curfew, mas maagang darating ‘yung mga tao, so kailangan, mas maaga natin silang asikasuhin para mapanatili natin ‘yung orderly and peaceful na pila ng mga tao, habang hinihintay natin ‘yung pagsisimula ng mga misa,” he said.
[Translation: So because there is no curfew, the people will arrive early, so we need to take care of them to ensure the orderly and peaceful lines while we wait for the start of the masses.]
The Manila City LGU noted at least 8,000 police personnel will be deployed during the feast itself, with authorities eyeing additional manpower if needed.
The procession — which was also canceled this year — draws millions of barefoot devotees every Jan. 9, as they flock to the heart of Manila to witness the traditional Traslacion (transfer) of the venerated image of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
Filipino Catholics believe the Black Nazarene image can bring miracles, as it has endured fires that destroyed its home church, two earthquakes, floods, and even bombings during World War II.
CNN Philippines’ Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.
