Quiapo vendors lament low sales during Nazareno 2025

Some vendors at Quiapo Church in Manila City on Thursday said their sales were lower during this year's Feast of Jesus Nazareno compared to 2024.

Vilma Maun, a 53-year-old vendor of Nazareno-themed shirts, said the low sales might be due to the worsening financial difficulties faced by Filipinos.

"Medyo matumal hindi katulad noong nakaraang taon. Noong nakaraang taon medyo nakaubos kami. Kaunti lang natira. Ngayon, marami pa (Unlike last year, our sales this time are a bit slow. We used to sell almost all our stock. Now, we still have a lot)," Maun told GMA News Online.

"Siguro sa hirap din ng buhay at saka pera. Bago unahin ng tao 'yung ganito, pagkain lang (Maybe it's because people are facing hardships in life and are strapped for cash. Before they start purchasing these, they buy food instead)," she added.

Candle vendor Maria Marmol, 47, said she was able to earn P7,000 last year, which is higher compared to her P2,000 worth of sales this Thursday.

"Hindi po siya katulad ng dati. Mas maganda noong nakaraan kaysa ngayon. Dati, P7,000. Ngayon, P2,000 lang, kagabi pa ako rito. Kaya puyat (This is unlike before when business was better. Before, our sales would reach P7,000. Now, it's just at P2,000 and I've been here since last night. I haven't had enough sleep)," she said.

According to Marmol, vendors are prohibited in the area but she has to earn for her family.

"Bawal po. Lumalaban lang. Takbo. Kailangan lumaban kasi wala kang mauuwing pera (We're not allowed here. But we have to keep fighting in life. Run, when we need to. We have to fight otherwise we won't be able to bring home any money)," Marmol said.

Meanwhile, 33-year-old sampaguita vendor Rosalie Salazar said she used to earn P3,000 during the past feasts but this year, she has earned only around P1,000 as of noon.

"Medyo matumal po (Sales are a bit slow)," she said.

According to Salazar, she is supporting the studies of her three kids so she has to take advantage of the opportunity to sell sampaguita at the religious activity.

Devotees gathered early Thursday morning at the Quirino Grandstand 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 the Quiapo Church. — VDV, GMA Integrated News