Quiapo Church to replace ‘pahalik’ with ‘pagtatanaw’

MANILA, Philippines — After canceling the traslacion or procession of the Black Nazarene for the first time in over 200 years due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Quiapo Church has also decided to forgo “pahalik” on Jan. 9 next year.

Monsignor Hernando Coronel, rector of the Minor Basilica, said they would replace pahalik with “pagtatanaw” or the viewing of the image of the Black Nazarene from the church’s balcony.

Coronel said they are breaking the religious tradition to prevent people from getting infected with COVID-19.

He said there would be no pahalik, which has been a traditional activity before the procession of the Black Nazarene.

During the pahalik, hundreds of devotees wait in line at the Quirino Grandstand to kiss and touch the image of the Black Nazarene, which is believed to be miraculous.

“The image of the Nazarene will be brought up on the balcony of the church fronting Plaza Miranda two weeks before the feast day,” Coronel said.

He said the Black Nazarene would be on display beginning the last week of December to give Catholic devotees more time to venerate.

“I want to remind the faithful that their petitions will still be heard even if they don’t get to touch the image,” Coronel said.

On Oct. 23, the Manila city government and Quiapo Church officials agreed to call off  traslacion for the first time in 234 years due to the pandemic.