A total of 22,327 devotees participated in the traditional "Pahalik" (kissing of the image) of the Jesus Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand, a day before the Traslacion, or the commemoration of the transfer of the venerated image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros to Quiapo Church, on Jan. 9, the Nazareno Operation Center said.
Quiapo Church communications coordinator Silgen Frias Cabrito said on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that the total number of devotees includes those who lined up from Monday, Jan. 6, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Wednesday for the Pahalik.
The Nazareno Operation Center also reported that the situation at the Quirino Grandstand was normal as of this writing.
As of 2 p.m., the Manila Police District (MPD) said around 8,300 devotees remained at the Quirino Grandstand, while 729 personnel were deployed in the area to maintain security.
Authorities installed plastic barriers at the Quirino Grandstand to serve as a barricade for the queueing area.
Some devotees included elderly individuals and children, with some even bringing their babies.
Initially, the activity was scheduled to start at midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 7, but it began earlier as devotees started lining up at the venue after the Mass at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Officials of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church) reminded the attendees to sanitize their hands before and after wiping their towels on the image to ensure their safety.
The Pahalik will continue until Thursday, Jan. 9, and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of devotees who are seeking blessings and intending to honor Jesus Nazareno.