MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday declared January 9 a special non-working day in the City of Manila to mark the observance of the Traslacion.
The event, which falls on a Tuesday, marks the return of Traslacion, the annual procession of the revered Black Nazarene statue, after a three-year break due to the pandemic.
“It is fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” read Proclamation 434, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Traslacion is expected to draw around 2.5 million Catholic devotees, the Philippine National Police said. Around four million devotees joined the last Traslacion in 2019.
The procession will start from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quiapo Church in Quezon Boulevard.
Organizers of the procession reminded the devotees to refrain from climbing the andas, or the Black Nazarene’s carriage, to wipe the image with a cloth, towel or handkerchief.
Instead, devotees can throw their handkerchiefs and towels, which will be wiped on the image by members of the Hijos del Nazareno who are on the carriage. — Gaea Katreena Cabico