22-hour journey for Nazarene

MANILA, Philippines – Monday’s procession started at 5:20 a.m., an hour and a half earlier than the customary 7 a.m. start. The 411-year-old image of the Black Nazarene returned to Quiapo Church at 3:42 a.m. the next day, or 22 hours and 19 minutes after it left the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

Organizers were hoping the procession, called the Traslacion or transfer, would end before midnight, but it took longer than anticipated despite the early start.

“The community in Quiapo in smaller streets did not wish to let go of the Lord immediately,” Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel said.

Manila Police District (MPD) Director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel estimated that up to 3.5 million devotees participated in the Traslacion.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said yesterday it provided medical service to 1,988 devotees who experienced dizziness, hypertension, sprain, fracture and other minor injuries during the Traslacion. 

The PRC recorded only seven major injuries, including three women devotees who suffered bone fractures after falling from the carriage of the Black Nazarene.

Monsignor Coronel and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday lauded security officers because there were no deaths in last Monday’s 22-hour Traslacion.  

“I am happy that our Traslacion was casualty free. This was what I most prayed for. The Quiapo community will pray for those injured and visit those who might be confined in hospitals,” Coronel said.

“This is an event of millions and one death is one death too many,” he added.

Estrada commended the MPD, National Capital Regional Police Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government agencies, Church officials, volunteers and devotees for a more orderly procession.

“It’s God’s miracle that no one was seriously hurt, no one died. No matter how excellent our preparations are, it is God’s doing that we’re able to hold the Traslacion safely and peacefully,” Estrada said.

“We’ve been preparing for Traslacion as early as July and I can say this is the product of their hard work and cooperation. Definitely, we will make more improvements next year so we can achieve zero casualty again,” he added.

PRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon commended the PRC staff and volunteers for a job well done.

12 truckloads of garbage

But the devotees left 12 truckloads of trash despite the Manila government’s repeated appeal to maintain cleanliness during the Traslacion.

City hall workers collected 69.43 tons of garbage, mostly plastic water bottles, food containers and utensils, plastic cups, cigarette butts, wrappers, plastic bags, newspapers and carton boxes.

“Piles of rubbish dotted our streets. We have so far collected 12 truckloads of garbage since yesterday morning until 9:30 this morning,” said Che Borromeo, head of Task Force Manila Cleanup.

Last year, city hall workers collected 34.86 tons of garbage.

To ensure that the procession route is immediately cleaned up, Estrada yesterday deployed 600 street sweepers.

“They followed the procession from start to finish, cleaning up and collecting garbage along the way,” Estrada said.

The Manila government also stationed four huge dump trucks in strategic locations throughout the procession to store waste collected by street sweepers.

“The sweeper truck, the first in Manila, made our work easier. It picked up the tiniest trash and debris we could not get with our lowly walis tingting (broom),” Borromeo added.

Equipped with four rotating brushes and high-pressure water sprays, the sweeper truck sucks dirt, garbage and debris like a 500 ml water bottle with ease. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Non Alquitran