DESPITE the absence of some traditional activities due to the continuing threat of the pandemic, organizers of the Feast of the Black Nazarene yesterday gave the new format adopted for this year’s celebration a passing grade.
In an interview, Quiapo Church Attached Priest Fr. Earl Valdez said they are convinced they made the right decision to change the way the fiesta activities were being held compared to the pre-pandemic era.
“We cannot say if this will be the format for the following years. But rest assured that whatever we learned from this, once the pandemic is over, we will be able to implement and innovate some of it,” said Valdez. “As of this moment, given the pandemic, given the situation, this was a good decision.”
Valdez said this year’s feast showcased more religiosity and piousness than in the past.
“This was more meaningful, more orderly, and the spirit of the fiesta is more felt. And it was not just towards the image (of the Black Nazarene), but on the devotion it embodies,” Valdez said.
He also believes the devotees would be open to changes, pointing out that the Fiesta High Mass at midnight of Monday midnight attracted an estimated 50,000 to 60,000.
“We have 50,000 to 60,000 here compared to millions before. But it is the pandemic, there are restrictions. Imagine if we don’t have those,” Valdez said, adding: “Changes cannot be seen immediately. I think if we’re going to see changes in terms of devotion, it may still take 5 to 10 years.”
After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the 2023 Feast of the Black Nazarene marked the return of almost all physical fiesta activities, except the grand procession of the iconic image and the traditional “pahalik.”
Held in its place were the “Walk of Faith,” a procession without the Black Nazarene image last Sunday, and the “pagpupugay,” minus the kissing of the image since last Saturday.
HIGH MASS
At midnight on Monday, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula urged the faithful to be like the Black Nazarene in terms of empathizing and being ready to help others during the Fiesta High Mass at the Quirino Grandstand.
“The Black Nazarene is one with us and our problems. This is why there is no experience in life that the Black Nazarene cannot understand,” Advincula said in his homily.
“We must not hesitate in being one with the Lord and our neighbors. Let us pray and praise Him. Let us empathize and care for one another, especially those who are suffering,” he added.
He also urged the faithful to be inspired by the determination of the Black Nazarene to become victorious.
“The image of the Black Nazarene does not only depict his fall on Good Friday, but also his resurrection on Easter Sunday,” he said. “Jesus Christ did not succumb to the cross.
Instead, His love was victorious.”
PEACEFUL
Even without the traditional “Traslacion,” more than 200,000 people were monitored at the Quiapo Church and nearby areas for the Black Nazarene feast while more than 121,000 trooped to the Quirino Grandstand where the “Walk of Faith” started, the Manila Police District reported yesterday.
MPD Director Brig. General Andre Dizon said that from 12 midnight to 1 p.m. of Monday, 228,650 went to the Quiapo Church, with the number climbing to 246,250 by 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, another 122, 620 people went to the Quirino Grandstand.
Despite the huge crowd, Dizon said there was no criminal activity reported in the area and in the routes taken by participants to the Walk of Faith from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
“We had zero crime incidents at the Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church and the Walk of Faith route,” Dizon said.
Ten medical cases were recorded by the police monitoring center, including two cases of fainting; three incidents of damage (such as lacerations or abrasions), and two cases of either hypertension or hypotension.
The MPD deployed around 3,000 police personnel to secure the Quiapo Church, Quirino Grandstand and the Walk of Faith route. They were backed up by 2,000 more cops from the National Capital Region Police Office and other support units of the PNP.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also fielded 730 personnel to assist in traffic management and clearing operations.
In a briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the Feast of Black Nazarene was generally peaceful.
“So far it’s peaceful and we are thankful to our countrymen for their cooperation,” said PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo.
Fajardo said the PNP has not received any prior intelligence information about plans to sabotage the event.
Over 1,000 devotees sought medical attention throughout the festivities, according to a combined data from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
The report said 1,194 devotees had sought medical attention as of 1 p.m. Monday.
“In summary, from January 6 to 9, a total of 642 consultations were reported, managed, and addressed from the days of preparation to the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” the DOH said, while the PRC said it catered to 552 patients.
According to the DOH, majority of the cases they treated involved cardio-related, like hypertension, hypotension, chest pain, and blood pressure monitoring.
The DOH said four patients were hospitalized, with three having been discharged and one still under observation.
The PRC said its Emergency Medical Unit attended to a total of 13 patients, including one who needed to be transported to the Philippine General Hospital due to shortness of breathing. — With Victor Reyes and Ashzel Hachero
