Several devotees became irritated over the new schedule for the start of the traditional "Pahalik" of the image of Jesus Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin, some devotees said they were surprised with the late start of the annual tradition, saying that previous Pahaliks were done early in the morning instead of evening.

According to 46-year-old Jonas from Sta. Ana, Manila, he and his wife have been waiting in line since 3 a.m., expecting to be one of the first ones to enter the grandstand and touch the image. However, they were barred from entering the premises, as the official start of the Pahalik is scheduled at 7 p.m. later.

"Inagahan talaga namin punta dito gaya ng mga nakaraang Pahalik gawa ng may hika asawa ko, hindi sya pwedeng nakabilad sa araw ng matagal at naiinitan. Kaso alas-otso na pero hindi padin sila nagpapapasok. Napakahaba na ng pila ng mga deboto (We came here very early just like in the previous Pahalik because my wife has asthma and she can't be exposed to the heat for a long time. It's already 8 a.m. but they still won't let us in. The line of devotees is already very long)," he said.

"Nung dumating kami dito may mga kasabay kaming matatanda tsaka mga bata, uugod-ugod pa yung iba. Partida mas nauna kami sakanila pero hanggang ngayon wala pang pinapapasok samin. Kawawa naman sila (When we arrived here, we saw a lot of senior citizens who were having difficulties in walking as well as some children. Me and my wife came here before them, and yet none of us have been allowed to enter the grandstand)," he added.

Another devotee, Lucy, 63, said she has been waiting in line since 5 a.m. waiting for the Pahalik to start.

"Deboto na po ako ng Jesus Nazareno mula noong 18 palang ako. Mula noon hanggang ngayon sumasama ako sa Traslacion at Pahalik pero nung ako'y 34, na-stroke po ako kaya hindi na ako nakapag-Traslacion mula noon. Itong Pahalik nalang ako nakakapunta kaso parang mas late ata ngayon kasi hindi padin sila nagpapapasok. Dati naman maaga palang nagsisimula na sila (I have been a devotee of Jesus Nazareno since I was 18. From then until now, I have been attending both the Traslacion and Pahalik but when I was 34, I had a stroke so I haven't been able to go to Traslacion since then. But it seems like this year's Pahalik is a bit late now because it's already late in the morning and yet they still haven't let people in)," she explained.

At around 1 p.m. in the afternoon, the ushers assigned at Quirino Grandstand eventually allowed the devotees to enter as the line of people had already stretched to Kalaw Drive.

Despite this, they insisted that the Pahalik will officially start at 7 p.m.

The Manila Police District had earlier announced that several roads will be closed to motorists to give way to the Pahalik starting at 7 p.m., including the stretch of Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, and South Drive.

The police said one lane along Katigbak Drive and South Drive will remain open for access to the Manila Hotel and the H2O Hotel.

The traditional Pahalik (kissing) is usually done a day or a few days before the start of the Traslacion procession at the Quirino Grandstand, where thousands of devotees wait for hours to touch the image of the Nazareno.

During Pahalik, visitors wipe cloths—ranging from handkerchiefs to small towels—on the image, believing that the cloth can absorb the powers of the holy image, particularly its curative abilities.