Quiapo Church says Feast of Black Nazarene 2023 'successful'

A Quiapo Church official on Monday said the ongoing Feast of the Black Nazarene has been successful so far, with no untoward incidents recorded.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez said they hope the situation in the church and Quirino Grandstand where the "Pagpupugay" or viewing and touching of the image of the Black Nazarene are held, would remain orderly until the end of the day.

"Lahat po, lalung-lalo na 'yung ating mga kaganapan sa Quirino Grandstand, sa Simbahan ng Quiapo simula pa nung ika-7 ng Enero, ay successful. Masasabi po namin na naabot natin ang layunin natin na magkaroon ng makabuluhan at ligtas na pagdiriwang para sa ating mga deboto," he said.

(All of our activities, especially those in the Quirino Grandstand and at the Quiapo Church since January 7, were successful. We have achieved our goal of having a meaningful and safe celebration for our devotees.)

"Wala tayong na-report na security threats. Wala tayong na-report na untoward incidents na nakagulo sa mga pagdiriwang. Kaya sa kabuuan, kami ay natutuwang sabihin sa inyo na naging matagumpay po ang ating Nazareno 2023," he added.

(We have no reported security threats or any untoward incidents that disrupted the celebrations. So all in all, we are happy to tell you that our Nazareno 2023 was a success.)

Some 100,000 devotees trooped to Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park in Manila for the Misa Mayor held at 12 a.m. on Monday. This marked the start of the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Fiesta Masses are also being held every hour at Quiapo Church starting at 12 a.m. The last Mass will start at 11 p.m.

With this, Valdez reminded people who still plan to visit Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand within the day not to bring prohibited items, and to follow the instructions given by the ushers.

"Inaanyayahan natin ang lahat. Kaya lang po, sundin natin ang dapat at hindi dapat gawin, ang dapat at hindi dapat dalhin. 'Wag na sana tayong kumontra at magpasaway sa mga gabay at ushers natin. Sundin natin ang instructions nila lalo na sa pagpasok at paglabas ng Simbahan at ng Grandstand," he said.

(We invite everyone to join. However, let's follow the do’s and don'ts. Let's follow our guides and ushers, especially their instructions when entering and exiting the Church and the Grandstand.)

On Sunday, around 50,000 devotees attended the Walk of Faith in place of the Traslacion, according to Manila Police District director Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon.

The walk started from the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park at 1:30 a.m., then finished after two and a half hours upon arrival at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church. —KBK, GMA Integrated News