By Leslie Ann G. Aquino, Jaimie Rose R. Aberia
This year’s “Traslacion” or procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9 will have a new feature.
Monsignor Hernando “Ding” Coronel, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, said that 12 Prayer Stations will be set up in areas where the procession will pass through to make the activity more “religious and spiritual.”
“We really try to improve,” he said in a press briefing in Manila yesterday.
But he explained that the idea of the prayer stations came from the feedback and suggestions they received from the people and members of the Hijos Nazareno.
“This is not an original idea from us. Even the police have these so called segments so what we did here was prayer segments so it would be more religious and spiritual,” said Coronel.
The Twelve Prayer Stations are located in the following areas: corner of Roxas Blvd, Katigbak Driveway and Padre Burgos; National Museum; pedestrian underpass in between Taft and Padre Burgos;pedestrian underpass corner of Ande Road; Lawton, Sta. Cruz Church; Quezon Blvd cor Arlegui; Arlegui and P. Casa; MLQU canopy at Carcer; San Sebastian church; De Guzman Brgy. Hall and at Bautista, Globo de Oro.
In each station, there will be an assigned individual who will lead the faithful in praying.
PROCESSION ROUTE
There will also be a slight change in the route of the “traslacion” during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Organizers said the slight change is in order to ensure a more “safer” route.
Technical Working Committee head Alex Irasga explained that this year from Quirino Grandstand, instead of passing through the eastbound lane of P. Burgos and Lagusnilad, the procession pass on the westbound lane of P. Burgos.
“Wider at safer itong daan na ito. Based on our previous experience, pagdating sa National Museum, nagiging bottleneck sa Lagusnilad. Sa route ngayon, dire-diretso,” Irasga explained.
From Padre Burgos Street, the procession will then turn left to Taft Avenue thru Jones Bridge, right to Dasmariñas Street, right to Plaza Sta. Cruz, left to Carlos Palanca under Quezon Bridge, left to Quezon Boulevard, right to Arlegui Street, right to Fraternal Street, right to Vergara Street, left to Duque de Alba Street, left to Castillejos Street, left to Farnecio Street, right to Arlegui Street, turn left to Nepomuceno Street, left to Concepcion Aguila Street, right to Carcer Street, right to Hidalgo thru Plaza Del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat Street, left to de Guzman Street, right to Hidalgo Street, left to Barbosa (Bautista Street), right to Globo de Oro under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca Street, right to Villalobos thru Plaza Miranda before entering Quiapo Church.
NO THREATS
Supt. Lucile Faycho of the Manila Police District said no threat has been monitored by the intelligence team but they continue to take necessary measures.
She said that black garbage bags will not be allowed on the procession day.
“Clear lang ang pwedeng gamitin para makita kung ano ang laman,” Faycho said.
During the five-day celebrations last year, authorities have recorded 18 million people and Faycho said they expect it to increase by five percent this year.
The “traslacion” commemorates the transfer of the image to Quiapo Church.