By Christina Hermoso, Leslie Ann Aquino, and Jaimie Rose Aberia

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as the Quiapo Church or the Saint John the Baptist Parish in Quiapo,Manila is all set for the grand Traslacion of the revered Black Nazarene on January 9.

But this year’s procession will be different.

Taking off from the suggestion of devotees and members of the HijosdelNazareno, Monsignor Hernando "Ding" Coronel, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene said there will be 12 Prayer Stations that will be set up along the route of the procession to make it “more religious and spiritual.”

NAZARENE STREET ART – An image of the Black Nazarene made from colored dried coconut shavings is drawn on the ground on P. Noval Street in Manila Tuesday night. Preparations are underway for the procession of the Nazarene next Tuesday. (Camille Ante)

The Twelve Prayer Stations will be located in the following areas: Corner of Roxas Blvd, Katigbak Driveway and Padre Burgos; National Museum; pedestrian underpass between Taft and Padre Burgos; pedestrian underpass corner of Ande Road; Lawton, Sta. Cruz Church; Quezon Blvd. corner Arlegui; Arlegui and P. Casal; MLQU canopy at Carcer;  San Sebastian church; De Guzman Brgy. Hall and at Bautista, Globo de Oro.

There will be an assigned leader who will lead the prayer at each station.

Father Douglas Badong, parochial vicar of the Quiapo Church said thisyear’s procession seeks “to heighten the spiritually of every devotee for him to better understand the root of his faith.”

“This year, we hope to deepen the spirituality of every Nazarene devotee. We will be praying the Holy Rosary in theentire route of the procession as we enjoin all the barangays toparticipate in the praying,” Fr. Badong said.

With the theme “Poong Hesus Nazareno: Ang Daan, Ang Katotohanan at Ang Buhay,” devotees are encouraged toattend the formation seminar at the Quiapo Church whichaims to help create a deeper understanding of the devotion tothe Black Nazarene.

“We hope to help devotees have a deeper understanding of the devotion to the Black Nazarene. The formation seminars will help deepen and strengthen one’s faith. There are also recollections and a retreat ,” Fr. Badong said.

New Nazarene route

There is also a slight change in the route of the "Traslacion."

Technical Working Committee head Alex Irasga said that from Quirino Grandstand the procession will pass along the westbound lane of P. Burgos instead of the usual eastbound lane of P. Burgos and Lagusnilad.

"This is just an enhancement to ensure a more safer route as we won’t pass Lagusnilad anymore... And since we will avoid two bridges this might be of help to speed up the procession," Irasga said.

The Eucharistic celebration will be led by Msgr. Coronel with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as homilist, midnight of January 9 at the Quirino Grandstand.

The procession which will start after the 5 a.m. Morning Prayer and will take the following route: From Quirino Grandstand right to Katigbak Drive straight to Padre Burgos St. (Westbound lane) through Jones Bridge, right to Dasmariñas St., right Plaza Sta. Cruz St, left Carlos Palanca St., left Quezon Blvd., right Arlegui St., right Fraternal St., right Vergara St., left Duque de Alba St., left Castillejos St., left Farnecio St., right Arlegui St., left to Nepomuceno St. (counterflow), left Aguila St., right to Carcer St., right to Hidalgo St. through Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat, left JP De Guzman St., right to Hidalgo St., left to Barbosa St., right to Globo de Oro St. through under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca St., right to Villalobos St.  through Plaza Miranda all the way to Quiapo Church.

"We just hope it can be done in 12 hours... last year, it lasted 21 hours," Fr. Badong said.

Traffic re-routing 

Starting midnight of January 9, vehicles from Quezon City going to España Boulevard shall turn right to P. Campa Street, left to Mendoza Street, right to Fugoso Street, right to Recto Avenue or left to Nicanor Reyes Street, right to Recto Avenue to point of destination.

Those coming from Legarda shall turn right to Recto Avenue or turn left to Mendiola Street to  point of destination.

Vehicles coming from Caloocan City through Rizal Avenue shall turn right to Fugoso Street or Recto Avenue, to point of destination.

Heavy vehicles and cargo trucks shall take Osmeña to Pres. Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan via Lacson Avenue to Capulong Street.

Buses coming from the northbound lane of Taft Avenue shall turn right to San Fernando Street or make a U-turn at Plaza Ruiz to point of destination.

Vehicles coming from the southbound lane of Reina Regente Street shall turn right to San Fernando Street or make a U-turn at Plaza Ruiz to point of destination.

Light vehicles intending to pass along Bonifacio Drive and southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn at Anda Circle going to Delpan or Moriones to point of destination.

What to avoid

Msgr. Coronel advised those with pre-existing health conditions, pregnant women, senior citizens, and children against joining the Traslacion to avoid untoward incidents.

"Mag-aalay nalang ng panalangin ang Simbahan ng Quiapo para sa kanila. Alam naman natin na bawat deboto ay may kahilingan pero sa safe distance tayo, wag nang umakyat sa andas (Quiapo Church will just offer prayers for them. We know devotees have prayers, but we are calling on them to observe safe distance and not climb the carriage anymore)," Coronel said.

Coronel also called on devotees to avoid the procession if they are intoxicated as a sign of respect.

Fr. Badong, meanwhile called on vendors selling food on sticks and bottled beverages to clean their areas to avoid foot injury ofbarefoot devotees.

Millions expected

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said government has not monitored any "extraordinary threat" to the security of millions of devotees who are expected to attend the Black Nazarene procession but security forces are not letting their guard down.

"This is already the second Nazareno for this administration and we know how to maintain peace and order in the Nazareno festivities," he said.

TRASLACION 2018—Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Marvin Cruz (middle) discusses the schedule of activities leading to the Traslacion 2018 on Jan. 9. Also in photo are, from left, parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong and parish priest Msgr. Hernando Coronel. The annual ‘Traslacion’ is held to commemorate the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Bagumbayan or the old Intramuros to Quiapo Church. (Ali Vicoy)

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) who is leading security preparations willfield about 1,500 personnel at the Quiapo Church andat the Quirino Grandstand where the revered image will betaken for an overnight vigil on January 8.

Police Supt. Lucile Faycho of the Manila Police District said black garbage bags will not be allowed on the day of procession.

"They can only use clear trash bags so that we can easily see what's inside," Faycho said.

Unlike last year when communication lines were jammed during the procession, authorities said they will only implement signal jams on the location of the carriage.

To give way to the “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene on January 9 (Tuesday), Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has announced the suspension of classes in schools and work in government offices in the city.

Manila classes, work suspended

Manila Mayor Estrada has suspended classes and work in government offices in the city, except those involved in the maintenance of peace and order, traffic enforcement, disaster and risk reduction management, health and sanitation.

Meanwhile, suspension of work in private offices in Manila is left to the discretion of  management. (With reports from Aaron  B. Recuenco and Genalyn  D. Kabiling)