Black Nazarene’s andas stands 8 feet tall; creator presents design

The procession of the Black Nazarene would be impossible without the movable andas which carries the revered image from Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park to Quiapo Church.

According to a report on Unang Balita on Monday, the andas is 8 feet tall with a width of 10 feet.

Architect Ed Sarao, the creator of the andas, said they built the andas in 2009 and it was used as carrier of the black image of Jesus Christ during the Traslacion in 2010.

“Inabot kami ng mga two to three months, tsaka paspasan kasi 'yan, dahil kailangan umabot sa January,” Sarao said.

Sarao said its sub-frame was made of black iron while the tubular frame around it was made of galvanized tube.

Originally, the andas was designed as square but it was later revised.

“Actually, pina-revise nila from the original. 'Yung original nila, diretsong square structure, 'yung tapered 'yung taas,” Sarao said.

The almost decade-old andas has nine wheels which are similar to the wheels of supermarket carts, Sarao said.

“Ang principle idea diyan, parang supermarket cart (na) kahit saan puwede mo siyang i-maneuver,” Sarao said.

A person inside the carrier serves as driver who navigates its direction when moving.

Ideally, the andas has a loading capacity of 10-20 persons but during the procession where millions of devotees swarm around the Black Nazarene, “umaabot ng 40 pataas 'yan,” Sarao said.

Before the Traslacion or Black Nazarene procession on Wednesday, a vigil called ‘Pahalik’ will take place at the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday.

According to a report of Bam Alegre on Unang Balita Monday, devotees are advised to come early at the Quirino Grandstand and to bring food and water in case of long hours of waiting in line.

Signage will be set up to inform the devotees where the line for the Pahalik starts.

Devotees are encouraged to put their trash inside their pockets to avoid littering in the area.

Also, authorities advised devotees not to bring kids during the said event. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News