MANILA, Philippines (Update 2 3:53 p.m.) — Throngs of devotees poured into the Quiapo area for Traslacion 2021 despite the pandemic and the cancellation of the traditional Black Nazarene procession, officials of the City of Manila confirmed Saturday.
Gen. Leo Francisco, Manila Police District chief, told CNN Philippines that, as of 9:30 a.m., five hours after commemoration activities began for the day, an estimated 400,000 visitors had already been seen in Quiapo.
As of 3:00 p.m., an estimated 9,890 people are still crowding in the area, Manila’s Public Information Office told reporters, citing figures from MPD. Manila police also estimated that some 150 devotees are gathered in the Santa Cruz Church while another 70 are in the Nazarene Catholic School.
Every January 9, devotees of the Black Nazarene hold a grand procession called “traslacion” to commemorate the transfer of the venerated image of the Black Nazarene from Intramuros, Manila to Quiapo in 1767.
But this year, the lingering pandemic forced the cancellation of the massive Black Nazarene procession that usually takes place from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica or the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church.
Instead of the usual activities, it was announced that Quiapo Church would hold 15 masses, with only 400 visitors allowed for each mass.
The grand procession usually draws millions of devotees and religious attendees.
Manila PIO, in a post to its Facebook page on Saturday, said commemoration activities for Traslacion 2021 began at 4:30 a.m.
Earlier this week, Black Nazarene devotees had been urged by groups and social media users to observe traditional Traslacion activities at home.
On January 3, photos taken by several news outlets showed crowds outside Quiapo Church ignoring pandemic protocols such as social distancing and proper wearing of masks and face shields, prompting swift rebuke from social media users.
INTERAKSYON: Take responsibility: Black Nazarene devotees urged to observe Traslacion 2021 at home
| Quiapo Church-goers seen ignoring COVID-19 protocols ahead of Traslacion 2021
— Bella Perez-Rubio with a report from Rosette Adel