Black Nazarene procession ends ahead of projected 4 a.m. finish

MANILA, Philippines – The Black Nazarene procession or “traslacion” ended early Sunday morning, two hours ahead of its 4 a.m. projected finish.

After 20 hours, six minutes and 45 seconds minutes of the procession, the image of the Black Nazarene arrived at the Minor Basilica or Quiapo Church at 2:02 a.m. of Jan. 10.  

This year’s traslacion started earlier than the previous years as its send-off started from the Quirino Grandstand at 5:50 a.m. of January 9.

READ: Black Nazarene procession route for January 9

Quiapo Church officials said this was the earliest, fastest and most orderly traslacion in the last five years.

Last year, the Black Nazarene lasted for over 21 hours.

Quiapo Church rector Hernando Coronel attributed the turnout of the activities at the Quirino Grandstand in the “flexible” planning of the earlier send off.

Meanwhile, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said the estimated crowd throughout the Black Nazarene procession was 1.4 million, significantly less than the expected over 10 million devotees.

Traslacion or the solemn transfer of the image of Black Nazarene is held every January 9. The image of the Black Nazarene is being brought out of the Quiapo Church for public veneration and devotees pull on the carriage with a pair of 50-meter long ropes from Quirino Grandstand until it is returned to its home, Quiapo Church.

Aside from traslacion, the image of the Black Nazarene is also taken out every New Year ’s Day and Good Friday.