Tens of thousands of devotees are expected to line up for the pahalik, an old tradition that allows the faithful to venerate the revered image of Jesus Nazareno, organizers said.
Quiapo Church technical adviser Alex Irasga said the turnout is expected to be comparable to previous years for the devotional practice, in which devotees express reverence by kissing and touching the image’.
“The number is very fluid… but it’s always in the thousands (of devotees),” Irasga said.
The pahalik is set to begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Quirino Grandstand, following a 6 p.m. Mass for volunteers. The activity will run continuously until Jan. 9, ahead of the grand procession marking the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.
It will be briefly suspended at midnight on Jan. 9 to give way to the Misa Mayor, which will be presided over by Bishop Rufino Sescon of Balanga.
Irasga said organizers have deployed sufficient security personnel throughout the event, noting that the pahalik is typically the most orderly activity during the feast celebrations.
“The pahalik is usually the most orderly event we have,” he said.
Devotees are advised to line up along South Drive or at the Kalaw Avenue Extension, in front of the Rizal Park Hotel. Organizers have also adjusted the exit route this year.
“After doing the pahalik, they will go up a few steps to the top of the Quirino Grandstand and then return to South Drive,” Irasga said, adding that devotees will no longer exit via Katigbak Road near the Manila Hotel.
