Fire dancers and a ‘human andas’: Seen at Traslacion 2024

Even in a crowd that reached 6.5 million at its peak, according to Quiapo Church, some people and moments stood out during the Traslacion, the massive procession at the heart of the celebration of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday.

‘Human andas’

Truly Flaviano Jr. wanted to have his own andas for his Black Nazarene statue but, he said, it turned out that the Black Nazarene wanted him to be the andas.

“Ngayon po pala, ako pala ang ginawa ng Poong Hesus Nazareno na magiging andas niya. Atang-atang ko po siya kahit saan man kami magpunta,” the 36-year-old from Boracay told GMA News Online.

According to him, many of his prayers have been answered and he hoped that all the wishes of other Black Nazarene devotees will also come true.

Fire dancers

Along Evangelista Street, a group of fire dancers entertained the devotees. The buskers handed out envelopes and asked the audience for donations.

Toddler in ‘andas’ stroller

Many parents brought their children to the Traslacion in strollers during Traslacion but three-year-old John Stephen caught the attention of the devotees because of his "andas" stroller.

Mom Joana Carrillo said this is John Stephen’s first experience of the Black Nazarene celebration. She and her husband decided to bring the unique stroller, which was a gift from John Stephen’s godfather, so that he would not get easily tired as they went around Quiapo Church.

Blind singers 

Blind singers caught the eyes and ears of devotees passing along Evangelista Street and Quezon Bridge. Some of the people stopped walking just to watch the performers.

Broken Andas rope 

Around 1 p.m., devotees turned their heads to a group of faithful who were shouting and grabbing a long rope on Quezon Boulevard. The group entered Plaza Miranda carrying the rope.

According to the Quiapo Church the rope connected to the andas carrying the Black Nazarene image but broke off amid Traslacion.

The Black Nazarene has returned to its home in Quiapo Church following a procession attended by some 6.5 million devotees.

Encased in glass and atop a carriage, the image left Quirino Grandstand at 4:45 a.m. and arrived at the church at 7:44 p.m.—a journey that took 14 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds to complete.

Part of the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, Traslacion is the procession of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Christ, or Nazareno, from Quirino Grandstand back to its home, Quiapo Church.

The Traslacion returned in 2024 after a years-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. — BM, GMA Integrated News