Devotees parade Black Nazarene image around Quiapo

Devotees of the Black Nazarene in Manila's Quiapo district welcomed the New Year by parading a replica image of their patron early Saturday morning. Radio dzBB's Paulo Santos reported the devotees were hoping to get early blessings for the year from the Black Nazarene. While the image was a replica of the patron, many devotees still tried to touch it or wipe it with their clothes or handkerchiefs. The parade, which was to last until noon, covered areas near the Quiapo Church, where the replica of the image of the Black Nazarene is kept. Ambulances and police vehicles were placed on standby to respond to accidents. The report said several devotees numbering up to 5,000 wearing maroon shirts lined the streets of the villages where the image passed, hoping to get a glimpse of it. Many of the devotees also said they wanted to give thanks to the Nazarene for seeing them through the past year. The feast of the Black Nazarene falls on next weekend, and is expected to attract millions of devotees are expected to flock to Quiapo. — LBG, GMANews.TV