The andas of the Black Nazarene with thousands of maroon-clad devotees passing along the Finance Road to Ayala Bridge. The procession starts as early as 5 a.m. after the midnight mass and vigil at the Quirino grandstand. Photos by Jon-Jon Reyes
MILLIONS WELCOME BLACK NAZARENE
AN early morning estimate by the Philippine National Police and the Quiapo Church Command Post put the number of Black Nazarene devotees who joined the procession close to a million.
Around 10 a.m., hundreds of thousands of maroon-clad devotees swarmed the andas of the Black Nazarene now sealed in a glass as it passed along Finance Road and Ayala Blvd in Manila.
Based on the latest records of the Quiapo Church Command Post, the crowd reached 830,000, excluding those awaiting further along the procession’s 6-kilometer route.
Around 11, 500 devotees attending mass in Quiapo Church are also waiting for the return of the image.
MPD Chief Director Police Colonel Arnold Thomas Ibay said the number is expected to increase later in the day as more devotees waiting along the routes of the procession joined the Traslascion.
Ibay said the procession is expected to finish later in the night as the image takes its journey in congested areas on Arlegui Street, Hidalgo, Quezon Blvd, Bilibid Viejo, passing through San Sebastian Church back to Quiapo church.
