Devotees pray for orderly procession with ‘andas wall’

MANILA, Philippines — Devotees of the Black Nazarene yesterday hoped today’s Traslacion will be more orderly following new security preparations, such as a barricade of police securing the Nazarene image.

Some 27,000 devotees lined up for yesterday’s “pahalik” or kissing of the Nazarene’s feet in the Quirino Grandstand as of 4 p.m. yesterday, according to the Manila Police District.

Queenie Cerbito, 19, who is waiting to join the annual procession for first time, yesterday said she hoped the police barricade would instill discipline among the devotees.

“It would be better so that people will follow, to be more orderly and so that no one will get hurt,” said Cerbito.

“It will just be a test drive tomorrow,” said Cerbito’s uncle Wenn. “We will only know the advantage and disadvantage when the time comes.”

But long-time devotees Alvin Moncada and Joel Parales do not think an “andas wall” composed of police would be able to stop the devotees’ determination to reach the image and fulfill their annual “panata” or religious vow.

The andas wall will be composed of 2,144 police officers lining both sides of the carriage or andas to prevent devotees from climbing up to reach the image from the front.

“The police would not be able to contain the crowd, what with the sheer number of people tomorrow,” said Parales. 

“Police should just be outside securing the event from those with criminal intent,” added Moncada. 

Devotees yesterday continued to line up to touch the Nazarene, said to be a miraculous statue, to seek prayers for good health and stronger relationships.

Married couple Janet and Salvador Belarde said they have kept their 20-year marriage strong due to their Nazarene devotion.

“We always pray for our relationship to be strong since we kept this religious vow,” said Salvador.

They go to Quiapo Church every month all the way from Baras, Rizal to attend the first Friday Mass.

Corazon Carcedo, who has been feeling a lump in her breast, lined up yesterday to pray that she may not be hospitalized.

“I am afraid to be confined in the hospital. And the children’s welfare had to be prioritized. I have two altars at home and they are where I pour out my heart for my problems,” she said.

In the middle of the religious fervor surrounding yesterday’s “pahalik” were the vendors who said the Manila city government’s crackdown on sidewalk vendors affected their trade.

“They should just let us sell our wares because the event is for two days only,” said a vendor who identified himself only as Jhong.

He has been selling Nazarene shirts and towels for a decade and he lamented that his earnings would be less due to the city hall’s crackdown.

“They should not stop us, the feast won’t be for long anyway,” agreed vendor Victor Alejo, who sells Nazarene necklaces.