Organizers sneak Nazarene image into Luneta

The image of the Black Nazarene was sneaked into the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta by event organizers late Thursday night to avoid the mobbing of devotees expected during its original scheduled transfer from the Quiapo Church on Friday afternoon. The image was transferred at 11 p.m. Thursday on a closed van, radio dzBB reported early Friday. The transfer, originally scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday, was kept secret to prevent devotees from mobbing the closed van used to transport the image. Around 6 a.m. Friday, devotees started flocking Quirino Grandstand where they will be allowed to pay homage through a “pahalik" at 1 p.m., according to a report from GMA Network's Unang Hirit program. Msgr. Jose Clemente-Ignacio, parish priest of the Quiapo church, urged devotees to be physically and spiritually prepared for the annual procession. "Hinihiling po natin sa ating mga deboto na pumunta po tayo doon sa Eukaristiya na handa. Wag po tayong mag-iinuman, tayo'y manalangin, palalimin natin ang ating debosyon (We are asking devotees to come to the Eucharist prepared. Please do not drink alcoholic drinks before going, just pray, and deepen your devotion)," he said in an interview over GMA News' Unang Hirit.

But even with the transfer of the Black Nazarene’s image, devotees attended a predawn Mass to celebrate the yearly feast at the Quiapo Church. "Tuluy-tuloy ngayon, narito ako sa misa, nakahanda kami. Ang MPD nakahanda dito sa prusisyon para bukas (We’re all ready. The MPD is ready for the procession on Saturday)," Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said in an interview on dzBB radio. Magtibay said 1,500 uniformed police personnel, including reinforcements from other Metro Manila police units, are in place at the Quiapo and Quirino Grandstand areas. At least 40 ambulances with medical teams are also on hand to assist devotees who may fall sick or get injured especially during the procession. But as a safety precaution, devotees should refrain from bringing their kids or valuables like cellphones and jewelry, Magtibay said in a separate interview over Unang Hirit. He also cautioned pregnant women against joining the procession. Magtibay said authorities expect more devotees to join the procession this year. "Last year ang ating estimate nasa 3 million. Ngayon dahil sa sinapit na sakuna ng ating bansa palagay ko ang estimate natin magiging mas marami ang ating deboto, so baka umabot ng 4 million ngayong taon na ito (Last year our estimate was 3 million. Because of the tragedies that hit us this year, we predict that there would be more devotees this year, perhaps around 4 million)," he said.
Other activities lined up for Friday afternoon are a band parade, healing rites, a vigil, and a voters’ education campaign to underscore the need for a more decisive electorate this coming May elections. Early Saturday morning, the day of the procession, a Holy Hour and “Pananalita" will be observed at 3 a.m., followed by a concelebrated Mass at 6 a.m. to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. The procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church will follow immediately after, which is expected to last for 12 hours. Police had estimated more than three million devotees will attend this year’s feast. - with Nikka Corsino/RSJ, GMANews.TV