Undaunted, female devotees climb andas during Traslacion in expression of faith

Several female devotees braved dangers to climb the andas, or the wheeled carriage that bears the image of Jesus Nazareno, during the Traslacion of the annual Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Manila on Thursday.

In Emil Sumangil’s 24 Oras report, a number of female devotees fearlessly climbed the andas despite the inherent dangers during the procession attended by millions of people lining the route from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.

“Nahirapan po kami, ito nagkabukol,” said devotee Regie Mae Mansilungan who was in good spirits despite the challenging ordeal she and her fellow companion overcame.

(We had a hard time, we suffered some bumps.)

Another devotee, make-up artist Stephanie Andrade, has made it a point climb the andas every Traslacion.

“Bago umakyat maaapakan ka muna po. Pag hindi ka maka-akyat, hihilahin ka po,” she said. 

(Before climbing, you will get stepped on. If you can’t go up, they will pull you down.) 

However, Stephanie said she felt relieved after she succeeded in touching the image.

Injuries

A total of 714 devotees were reportedly injured during the ongoing Traslacion on Thursday, according to the Manila Police District (MPD).

A number of the devotees were hurt while trying to climb the andas, which also made the pace of the procession slower this year compared to 2024.

Last year, the Traslacion took almost 15 hours. Based on the current pace, MPD said the Traslacion this year may take around 16 hours.

Devotees gathered at the Quirino Grandstand early Thursday morning for the start of the Traslacion or procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno to its home at Quiapo Church.

The procession of the centuries-old image officially started at 4:41 a.m., according to church organizers. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News