A redesigned carriage, tighter crowd controls and route adjustments aim to make this year’s Traslacion safer and more orderly for hundreds of thousands of barefoot devotees of Jesus Nazareno.
Officials of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno announced multiple innovations ahead of the annual procession starting before dawn Friday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Changes cover the “andas,” procession routes and crowd management, reflecting continuing efforts since the pandemic to reduce risks during one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.
“We are again implementing several innovations,” said Nazareno 2026 adviser Alex Irasga. “You have seen that since the end of the pandemic there are continuous changes and efforts to make our celebration safer and more orderly.”
Redesigned cross and carriage
The most significant change involves the andas and the image’s cross, redesigned to discourage devotees from climbing and risking injury.
“We have shortened the cross so that there would be less opportunities to hang onto it. Our goal here is to protect our image,” he explained.
The carriage was also upgraded with four wheels instead of three and fitted with a steering mechanism to improve control.
“This is like an owner-type jeepney. It has an under chassis, it has brakes. The only thing that is missing from the vehicle is the engine,” Irasga explained.
Ventilation and rope adjustments
The glass enclosure now includes multiple ventilation holes to address moisture buildup and balance temperature inside and outside the carriage.
Organizers also prepared spare ropes to replace those that are often cut during the long procession.
Each rope measures 30 meters per side, slightly shorter than the usual 50 meters but sufficient for crowd control, Irasga said.
Route controls and crowd management
Parts of Katigbak Drive and Padre Burgos Street will be closed to devotees to ensure smoother movement from the Quirino Grandstand.
“Last year, after one and a half hours, we were still at the Manila Hotel,” Irasga said.
Police officers who are devotees, known as “Hijos-Police,” will also join the procession to help manage crowds.
“We will mobilize Hijos-Police because they are the ones who are experienced in crowd management and in controlling the crowd. But they are not there as police. They are there as Hijos. They are there as devotees,” Irasga said.
Procession details unchanged
Despite the changes, organizers said the traditional procession route from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church will remain unchanged.
After the dawn prayer, the image will be placed on the andas and guarded by Hijos del Nazareno as the procession begins.
The 5.8-kilometer route will pass through three parks and plazas, seven bridges, one underpass and 18 Manila streets.
Fourteen prayer stations will be set up along the route for devotees joining the procession.
Organizers reminded participants to follow guidelines, stressing that true devotion is shown through obedience and respect for Church directives.
“We can pull the rope, sing and pray, but please don’t climb the andas,” Irasga said.
