'Pagpupugay' draws more than 22K devotees so far

More than 22,000 devotees have so far flocked to Quirino Grandstand in Manila for "pahalik" or "pagpupugay" for the Jesus Nazareno.

According to the Nazareno Operation Center, a total of 22,327 devotees lined up as 8 a.m., January 8, Wednesday, since the pahalik started 7 p.m. of January 6, Monday.

LIVE BLOG: Updates on Nazareno 2025 Pagpupugay

In an interview on Dobol B TV Wednesday morning, MPD chief Police Brigadier General Thomas Ibay said some devotees preferred to go to the pahalik during nighttime for the cold weather.

Police Colonel Alvin Olitres told GMA News Online that the queue is faster Wednesday morning compared to Tuesday night.

"Kagabi matagal ang inabot ng pila pero nitong umaga na pabilis na. 'Yung mga nagstay na nagtiyaga kahapon pa, natapos na at maaga na sila nakaalis," he said. 

"Expected po mas dadami pa po lalo't ngayon pong bisperas," he added. 

Meanwhile, a 59-year-old devotee, Eva Tuluan, arrived at the venue around 6:30 a.m.

Eva said she is surprised to see that there are more devotees now compared to last year.

"Last year kahit ganitong oras din ako pumila, nandoon na ako sa may malapit," she said, as she was among those at the end part of the queue as of 8:25 a.m.

Carrying her replica of the Jesus Nazareno, Eva went to the pahalik with her relatives from GMA, Cavite.

"Dasal ko ano, blessings, peace of mind saka hihingi ng tawad," she said.

In 2021, the traditional pahalik was prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was changed to “pagpupugay” during which devotees were only allowed to look at the image.

In 2023, devotees were allowed to touch the image of Jesus Christ using a towel or handkerchief.

The organizers called on devotees to refrain from kissing the image for hygiene reasons.

The pahalik will run until Thursday, January 9.

The Feast of Jesus Nazareno is a 10-day activity which started from December 31, 2024 and will culminate on January 9, 2025 with the Traslacion or the procession of the image.

The Traslacion route will start at Quirino Grandstand and end at Quiapo Church.

Millions of devotees are expected to participate in the Traslacion. —AOL, GMA Integrated News