Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene join 'Walk of Thanksgiving'

Thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene, with one pledge, joined the "Walk of Thanksgiving" in Quiapo, Manila a few days before the celebration of the feast day of Hesus Nazareno 2025.

After holding a mass at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, the image of Jesus Nazarene was brought out of the Church in a yellow carroza for a procession at around midnight. 

Some of them even walked barefoot along the muddied route of the procession. 

Quiapo Church Technical Adviser Alex Irasga said their initial crowd estimate ranges from 60,000 to 70,000. 

“Kahit nga may kaunting pag-ulan, nairaos natin ang thanksgiving procession na taun-taon nating ginagawa. Inasahan namin na talagang uulan at napagpasyahan namin na umulan man o hindi, talaga pong itutuloy,” he said. 

(Even if there was a bit of rain, we successfully pulled off the thanksgiving procession that we do yearly. We expected the rain and decided to push through rain or shine.) 

The procession was enlivened with the music and chants of the Hijos and devotees to pay tribute to Hesus Nazareno.

Devotees

John Balza, a devotee, joined the procession with his two-year-old child.

"Gusto ko lang po maghubog ‘yung mga anak ko kung anong klaseng pamamanata meron mga Katoliko... At least ngayon kahit sa mga anak ko, ma-share ko ano pakiramdam rito," he said.

(I just want to show my child the devotion of Catholics... at least this time I can share my feelings with my child.)

Marisa Conargo, who hails from Bulacan, walked barefoot through the muddy streets alongside other devotees to fulfill a vow.

"Sa totoo lang po, first time ko lang po... Masaya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam po... Kahit nahihirapan kami, tanggap namin iyan. Laban kami. Para sa aming Nazareno!," she said about her experience.

(The truth is, this is my first time to join the procession. It feels good, we accept the challenge that we faced. We will continue, for the Nazareno.)

There were many devotees who threw handkerchiefs and towels to the Hijos, who were riding on the carroza, so they could wipe them on the religious image, and after which these were returned to them.

The carroza, which made its way back to the Quiapo church a few minutes after 2 a.m., was met with fireworks and chanting of even more devotees.

Quiapo church technical adviser, Alex Irasga said, "Kahit nga may kaunting pag-ulan, nairaos natin ang thanksgiving procession na taun-taon nating ginagawa... Inasahan namin na talagang uulan at napagpasyahan namin na umulan man o hindi, talaga pong itutuloy."

With the fiesta celebration on Jan. 9, church officials warned the public against possible scams linked to the fiesta celebration such as unauthorized collection of donations or offerings.

"Nasa social media po ang account ng ating simbahan. ... O ‘di kaya, mas mabuti, diretso na po sila rito sa simbahan para personal silang tumulong. Huwag silang maniniwala kung meron mang mga mapagsamantala na gumagamit ng ating mahal na señor para ho mangalap ng pondo. Wala pong katotohanan ito," said Irasga. — BAP/ VAL, GMA Integrated News