Manila cancels grand Black Nazarene procession

Manila City local government announced Friday that the Black Nazarene’s annual grand procession, which was supposed to be in January 2021, would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The grand procession of the life-sized image of the Black Nazarene in January 2021 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic —Manila City gov’t, Quiapo Church,” said Manila Public Information Office in a Facebook post.

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The Black Nazarene is a life-sized image of a dark-skinned, kneeling Jesus Christ carrying the Cross enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in the Quiapo district the City of Manila, Philippines.

The January 9 Traslación is the largest procession, drawing thousands of devotees thronging to touch the icon and lasting 22 hours at the most.

The Black Nazarene is venerated by Filipino devotees every Friday. Along with the Santo Niño (Child Jesus), it is the most popular object of devotion in the Philippines. A similar image called Cristo Negro is venerated in Portobelo, Panama.

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“Moreno” Domagoso asked the Catholics to avoid holding religious  in Manila City amid the threats of COVID-19.

A devotee himself, the mayor said he is “saddened” that the Filipino tradition would be postponed due to the pandemic. However, “we need understanding.”

Also read: BI: Tourist departures still low despite lifted restrictions

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Manila cancels Black Nazarene procession

“For the meantime, nakikisuyo po ako, wala pong mga para-parada, wala pong prusi-prusisyon, dahil mahirap pigilan ang tao. At ang tao naman mapapahamak, malalagay sa alanganin,” he said in an interview with reporters.

(In the meantime, I’m asking you not to hold processions because it’s hard to control the people. And they might be at risk.)

Mayor Isko also hinted there might be no Traslacion or the Black Nazarene’s traditional procession in January if “this situation will remain the same.”

“Pero halimbawa… maganda, medyo kayang i-tolerate yung numbers of infection or talagang halos kontrolado na natin yung infection, baka mag-isip kami ng bago,” the mayor added.

(In case the situation improves or the number of infection is already under control, we might change our minds.)