DAY, MONDAY JAN 9
[PHOTO -
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The
Black Nazarene Nuestro Padré Jesús Nazareno Itim na Nazareno; Date 31 May 1606.
The Black Nazarene, known to devotees as (Spanish: Nuestro Padré Jesús Nazareno)
("Our Father Jesus Nazarene") in English, is a life-sized, dark-coloured, wooden
sculpture of Jesus Christ, believed to be miraculous by many Filipino devotees.
Originally a statue with fair or light complexion, it turned dark after it was
exposed to fire on its arrival from Mexico. The statue is currently enshrined in
the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines, where
the Feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated every January 9 along with the
weekly Friday Novena Masses.]
MANILA, JANUARY 7, 2012 (BULLETIN )
The Rizal Park management on Friday said it is 100 percent ready for the
expected influx of millions of devotees for the annual feast of the Nuestro
Padre Jesus Nazareno, more popularly known as the Black Nazarene, on Monday.
Director Juliet Villegas of the National Parks Development Committee (NDPC)
said that the park is ready for the massive crowd that will participate in the
"Pahalik" on Sunday, and the procession where barefooted devotees are expected
to join.
She added that the park also has enough parking spaces for those who wish to
bring their vehicles and attend the festivities for the 405-year-old religious
image which first came from Acapulco, Mexico during the 15th century.
Authorities in the park said they are expecting the religious image to arrive
at the grandstand on Saturday, but did not disclose the specific time since
devotees will be allowed to venerate and kiss the miraculous image starting
Sunday morning, where vigil that will last overnight will be held before the big
event on Monday.
Thousands of devotees are expected to join the procession of replicas
of the Black Nazarene at 2 p.m. Saturday to serve as a prelude to the 405th
grand "traslacion" procession on Monday.
Coming from different parts of the country, bus loads of devotees arrive in
Manila every year to take part in the celebration. Many will be carrying an
image of the Nazarene through the streets of Quiapo, Manila. Some of the sacred
images are believed to be centuries-old and passed on from generations of
devotees.
On Sunday, a bigger crowd is expected to converge at the Quirino Grandstand
where the Black Nazarene will be brought for an overnight vigil and a series of
activities before the grand procession bringing the image back to Quiapo Church
on Monday. The traslacion procession recalls the transfer of the Black Nazarene
image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Minor Basilica of
the Black Nazarene (St. John the Baptist Church or Quiapo Church) in 1787.
Meanwhile, the eighth of the nine-day novena masses in honor of the Black
Nazarene that began last Dec. 31 will be held at 5 p.m. at the Quiapo Church on
Saturday. Prayer intentions will be offered for the victims of tropical storm
Sendong in northern Mindanao.
To ensure the safety of students, classes in eight schools in Manila were
declared suspended on Mondayfor the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Two colleges,
five secondary schools, and one elementary school in Manila area announced the
suspension of classes because they expect to be greatly affected by heavy
traffic due to the celebration and procession for the Feast.
According to the advisory issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) on
Friday, classes in Manila Science High School, Araullo High School, Manila High
School, Ramon Avanceña High School, Geronimo Santiago High School and Apolinario
Mabini Elementary School -- all public schools have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim announced the suspension of classes in
two of the city's largest public colleges. Through Ricardo de Guzman, city chief
of staff and media bureau head, Lim said that college students in City College
of Manila and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila no longer need to attend classes
on Monday after the classes have been declared suspended. (With reports by Christina Hermoso, Ina Malipot and Leslie Aquino)
[PHOTO FROM THE PHILIPPINE DAILY STAR (PHILSTAR) - Activists stage a
rally in front of the Quiapo Church yesterday to urge devotees to properly
dispose of garbage when they join the procession to celebrate the feast day of
the Black Nazarene on Monday. VAL
RODRIGUEZ]
Take precautions, gov't tells devotees By JC BELLO
RUIZ January 7, 2012, 8:11pm
[Photo - LINKED BY DEVOTION: Hundreds of devotees carry an image of the
Black Nazarene along the streets of Quiapo during a procession of replicas of
the old image, Saturday, January 7, 2012. The procession is a prelude to the
405th grand procession on the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene on Monday, January
9, 2012. The center of the celebration is the Minor Basilica of the Black
Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, where the image is enshrined. (Photo by JACQUELINE HERNDANDEZ)]
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday asked devotees of the Black
Nazarene to take necessary precautions and refrain from bringing along their
children and valuables to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of the
Feast of the Black Nazarene Monday, Jan. 9.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte echoed the appeals made by
officials of Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and
Philippine National Police (PNP) to the public against bringing children and
their valuables.
"To our elderly devotees, let us also take the necessary precautions," she
said.
She also warned the public against criminal elements such as pickpockets and
snatchers although she assured that the police will be on top of the situation.
"Let us not put ourselves in a less secure situation. At maging alerto po
tayo (let's be alert)," she said.
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said the Nazarene procession's route has been
cleared of obstructions, potholes, hanging wires and even broken bottles and the
like to ensure the safety of the devotees who will be joining the procession
barefooted.
Meanwhile, instead of the usual "namamasan," priests will be the ones to
transfer the 40-year-old image of the Black Nazarene from the altar to its
"andas" (carriage) Monday.
Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black
Nazarene, said he will ask the priests to transfer the life-size image of Jesus
Christ to prevent chaos during the feast day mass in Luneta.
"The priests will be the ones to carry. This is a first for them," he said.
"We are requesting the 'mamamasan' to wait for the Mass to finish. Don't rush
because the priests are not used to shoving," Ignacio said in Pilipino.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL, SIDNEY
SNOECK: THE PROCESSION GATHERS STRENGTH]
In the past, the Mass was temporarily interrupted when devotees started
climbing the stage to get near the Nazareno image for the procession.
Ignacio said they are hoping that the presence of the priests will help
pacify the devotees.
The Quiapo rector appealed anew to the faithful to respect the occasion and
Mass.
He said devotees need not climb the stage during the Mass as they'll be given
several opportunities to approach the Nazareno such as the "pahalik" (the
faithful' kissing of the feet and hands of the Nazarene image) which will start
at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila.
Around eight million devotees are expected to join the annual "traslacion"
procession of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo Church Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the MMDA reminded motorists about the rerouting plans and road
closures Monday in connection with the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene
procession.
Using its Twitter account, the MMDA announced that the closure of roads will
take "full effect" at 5 a.m. Monday.
Beginning at the Quirino Grandstand, the procession of the Black Nazarene
will traverse several main and secondary roads before its climactic arrival at
Plaza Miranda and finally in Quiapo Church.
As such, the MMDA said motorists and commuters must brace for heavy traffic
in areas near the procession route.
The areas that are expected to be affected by heavy traffic are the stretch
of Roxas Boulevard/Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to TM Kalaw, northbound and
southbound lanes; southbound of Quezon Boulevard from Recto to Palanca; Lerma
from P. Campa to Quezon Boulevard; Taft Avenue/Finance, westbound lane;
Lagusnilad/P. Burgos westbound lane; P. Burgos/Taft Avenue, Freedom Triangle
northbound lane; Villegas/N.A. Lopez and 25th Street/Bonifacio Drive,
southbound.
At 4 a.m. Monday, the following roads will be closed for public utility
vehicles (PUVs) only: Southbound Lane of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo), from
Andalucia/Fugoso to Plaza Miranda; España; P. Campa and Lerma Streets. These
will be closed to all types of vehicles at 5 a.m. as per the MMDA's advisory.
All vehicles coming from Quezon City via España must turn right at P. Campa,
left at Andalucia, right Fugoso, left T. Mapua toward destination.
[PHOTO FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BY SIDNEY
SNOECK: THE SCRAMBLE TO TOUCH THE STATUE]
Jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España heading to South Pier Zone
will turn at Nicanor Reyes, right Recto straight to Jose Abad Santos, left Reina
Regente. Take Jones Bridge, right Magallanes Drive toward destination.
Vehicles from the northern part of Manila using the stretch of Bonifacio
Drive southbound will turn right at Roberto S. Oca Street, left Delgado, left
Bonifacio Drive (for Port Area offices) or turn right to A. Soriano to
Magallanes Drive, right P. Burgos, and go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Ave.
All motorists coming from the southern part of Manila intending to use P.
Burgos shall take TM Kalaw, left Taft Ave, right Ayala to Ayala Bridge toward
destination.
Private vehicles from the southern part of Manila using the northbound part
of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right at Quirino Avenue and take Nagtahan Bridge
toward destination.
Jeepneys plying Monumento-Gasak-Recto intending to use Andalucia through
Recto shall turn right Fugoso, right Oroqueta to point of origin.
Vehicles coming from Legarda shall turn right at Recto or left at Mendiola
toward destination. Heavy vehicles or cargo trucks coming from the south shall
take President Osmeña, right President Quirino to Nagtahan via A.H. Lacson to
Capulong (vice-versa).
Other motorists proceeding to north or south of Manila must utilize the
stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan (and vice versa), or use Road 10 to Roxas
Boulevard (and vice versa) toward destination.
Meanwhile, buses coming from the eastern part of Manila particularly
G-Liner/RRCG using Legarda must turn right at Palanca Street, to Quiapo Ilalim
toward destination.
[PHOTO FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BY SIDNEY
SNOECK: ALL TOGETHER NOW!]
Buses from Taft Avenue going to Fairview shall turn right to UN Ave up to
Otis, left Nagtahan go straight Lacson, right España to point of origin.
Buses coming from southern part of Manila using Taft Avenue are not allowed
to enter from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Instead, they are allowed only up to Remedios
Street, right San Marcelino and then back to point of origin
A series of activities will be held Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal
Park, Manila, where the Black Nazarene will be brought for an overnight vigil,
in preparation for the procession Monday.
The traditional "Pahalik sa Poong Nazareno" will start at 1 p.m., followed by
a band parade at 3:30 p.m. A mass and a healing service, to be led by Fr. Benny
de Guzman, will be held at 5 p.m. The overnight vigil begins at 7 p.m. with
homilies to be delivered by Fr. Jacinto Rey Padua and Manila Auxiliary Bishop
Broderick Pabillo.
Fr. Benny de Guzman will deliver the third talk at midnight, to be followed
by Bishop Teodoro Bacani. Fr. Anton Pascual will wrap up the vigil activities
and will deliver a short catechesis and a closing prayer at 4:30 a.m.
A brief procession of replicas of the Black Nazarene was held Saturday
afternoon.
Msgr. Jose Clemente F. Ignacio, rector and parish priest of the Quiapo
Church, has called on devotees to offer their prayers and sacrifices for all the
victims of tropical storm "Sendong" in Northern Mindanao.
PHOTO FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA TRAVEL BY SIDNEY
SNOECK: QUIPAO FAITH HEALERS]
Meanwhile, the last of the novena in honor of the Black Nazarene that began
last Dec. 31 will be held at the Quiapo Church at 5 p.m. Sunday.
In anticipation of the huge volume of crowd that will attend the Black
Nazarene procession, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will dispatch additional
security forces near the bridges along the area of Pasig River in Manila where
the procession of the Black Nazarene is expected to pass by.
Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Meniado, Coast Guard Station-Pasig chief, said they
didn't want a repeat of the tragedy that happened last year in which three
devotees fell or jumped along Quezon Bridge due to the uncontrollable crowd.
"We can't let this similar scenario happen again so we dispatch additional
security personnel along the bridges where the Black Nazarene is scheduled to
pass though," Meniado said.
The Pasig Coast Guard Station commander noted that a total of seven teams
from the Coast Guard Intelligence Force (CGIF) and Coast Guard Special
Operations Group onboard rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) will be deployed not
only to provide security for the devotees but also to watch out for any
outsiders that will create any unusual scenario from the Pasig River.
[Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo, Manila]
Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will deploy 350 of its personnel on
Monday to assist the thousands of devotees, who will attend the Nazarene
procession.
PRC secretary Gwendolyn Pang said in text message that this is higher
compared to the 250 PRC volunteers who were deployed last year in the annual
celebration.
"We increased the number of our personnel since we expect more devotees will
attend this year," Pang said.
She said the PRC contingent from its 10 chapters will be stationed in 11
first aid and health stations in different strategic locations along the route
of the procession to assist participants.
"They will be deployed to different areas along the procession route to
ensure the safety of the public and to render services such as first aid
stations, foot patrol first aiders, ambulance service, water rescue and welfare
desk," Pang said.
She said they will also mobilize 50 ambulances, four rubber boats and other
rescue vehicles like fire trucks, and other amphibian transports in area, which
could be used during an emergency situation.
About eight million people are expected to attend this year's procession,
which will start from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and will end at
Quiapo Church. (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino,
Ellson Quismorio, Christina I. Hermoso, John Carlo M. Cahinhinan, Samuel P.
Medenilla)
WITH THANKS TO http://goseasia.about.com/
Michael Aquino
Southeast Asia Travel
Guide
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved
PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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