Picnic sa Pahalik: Some Nazareno 2025 devotees decide not to join long lines

Instead of lining up for the "Pahalik" or "Pagpupugay" for the Jesus Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Wednesday, some families decided to stay out of the crowd and just have a picnic in the area.

Juliet Culajara, a Nazarene devotee for the past 18 years from Caloocan City, said attending the traditional "Pahalik" has been part of their family tradition. However, upon arriving at the venue at around 10:30 a.m., the family faced a large crowd, making them decide not to stand in line like the other devotees.

"Hindi na kami nakipila. Baka magkaroon ng tulakan e. Mas madaming tao ngayon talaga," Juliet, 64, told GMA News Online.

(We did not line up anymore. There might be a commotion. There are really more people now.)

She said that their experience last year was very different as the crowd "tripled" this year.

Juliet went to the venue with her husband Popoy, their children, and grandchildren. Despite not being able to touch the image of Jesus Nazareno, she said that their faith remains strong.

"Grabe ngayon ang pila. Dati ganito lang kakonti ah. Triple sa nakaraan. Dati dire-diretso lang kami hanggang sa Pahalik," Popoy, 65, said.

(The line now is longer. It was shorter before. Now it is triple. Before, we could go straight for the Pahalik.)

The family will no longer attend the hours-long traditional Traslacion on Jan. 9, but they will wait until the procession ends. During the Traslacion, the image of Jesus Nazareno will be carried on the carriage or andas from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church).

WATCH: Traslacion route for Nazareno 2025 bared

"Hindi na kaya din ng katawan ko. Pero bukas pa kami uuwi. Dito kami magi-stay muna," Popoy added.

(My body can no longer handle [the Traslacion]. But we will stay here and will just go home tomorrow.)

They brought packed food, such as rice, adobo, and snacks.

Meanwhile, some devotees who chose to line up for the Pahalik devised different strategies to avoid boredom, dizziness, and hunger.

Some ate ice cream to cool down, and some had instant noodles just to fill their stomachs. Meanwhile, groups and individuals brought their own packed food, just like the Culajara family.

Aside from food, other devotees also brought umbrellas and chairs.

Crowd estimate

As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, the crowd was estimated to have decreased to 6,300, from 14,300 at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the Manila Police District reported.  

Earlier, Alex Irasga, the technical advisor for the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church) said the current process is faster compared to last year since devotees are now prohibited from kissing the image of Jesus Nazareno.

He noted that so far, the activities have been peaceful and orderly.

In 2021, the traditional “Pahalik” or the kissing of the image was prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was changed to “pagpupugay” wherein devotees were only allowed to look at the image.

But devotees were allowed in 2023 to touch the image of Jesus Nazareno using a towel or handkerchief.

Millions join the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo annually.

A devotee's participation in the Feast of Jesus (Hesus) Nazareno may be an outward manifestation of how intense his needs are, psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa said.

Devotion to the Jesus Nazareno may also be linked to history, as religion and practices such as the feast were hand-me-downs by Filipino forebears, Dellosa said. —KG, GMA Integrated News