Several Nazareno devotees hurt while trying to climb andas

Three people were given medical attention after they got wounded during the Traslacion or the procession of the centuries-old image of Jesus Nazareno, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday. 

Some of the devotees got injured while trying to climb the andas or the carriage that bears the image of Hesus Nazareno. 

According to MMDA, the first patient had a cut on his right foot along Katigbak Drive. He was endorsed to the station of the Department of Health (DOH) in Quirino Grandstand to have his wound stitched up. 

The second patient was also injured along Katigbak Drive. He went home after getting the wounds on his leg cleaned. 

“‘Yung isa pong may hiwa sa paa ang nagtangka umakyat. ‘Yung ikalawang may hiwa sa paa, lumapit sa andas pero ‘di nakaakyat dahil nasugatan na sa paa,” the MMDA told GMA News Online.

(One person had a cut on his foot while trying to climb the andas. The second patient had a cut on his foot, but was no longer able to climb the andas because of his injury.) 

The right foot of the third patient, meanwhile, was cut along Finance Road. He was also brought to the DOH tent in Quirino Grandstand for medical assistance. 

“‘Yung may gasgas sa binti, nasama po sa dami ng tao pero malayo po siya sa andas,” it added.

(The other person had bruises on his leg but was far from the andas.)

LIVE BLOG: Updates on Traslacion ng Poong Jesus Nazareno 2025

The MMDA said its first aid station has attended to 120 individuals from January 7 to 9. 

The Philippine Red Cross, meanwhile, has already helped a total of 111 patients in the early hours of Traslacion on Thursday.

Catholic devotees surround the andas or carriage bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno as its annual procession begins on its feast day in Manila, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/ Eloisa Lopez

Andas

The Traslacion from Quirino Grandstand going to Quiapo Church started at 4:41 a.m.

Last year, around 6.5 million devotees participated in Traslacion that was completed in 14 hours, 59 minutes and 10 seconds.

Earlier, the Manila Police District (MPD) said devotees climbing up the andas are slowing down the traditional Traslacion.

"Tuloy-tuloy naman ang usad, kaya lang marami pa ring nag-aattempt na sumampa," said MPD Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay.

(The procession is moving well, but many people are still attempting to climb up [the andas].)

"Hindi natin mapigilan ang kanilang pagsampa at sumasalubong na siyang nagpapabagal sa daloy ng ating prusisyon," Ibay added.

(We could not stop them from climbing up and meeting the carriage head on which is slowing down our procession.)

Photo by Joviland Rita/ GMA Integrated News

Reminder

Ibay said members of the Hijos del Nazareno continuously remind devotees not to climb up the andas.

"'Yun ang napag-usapan at 'yun ang naririnig natin kasi meron naman silang megaphone at 'yun ang ginagamit nila sa pakikipag-usap o pagsaway dito sa mga pumipilit na sumampa," he added.

(That was what was agreed upon and that is also what we heard them do. They have a megaphone and it is what they use to appeal to devotees not to climb up the andas.)

According to a 2019 study by the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences Research, more devotees attempt to climb the andas when it slows down or enters a narrow street.

They also coined the term “hustle rate” for devotees trying to climb the andas when it reaches narrow pathways.

The study said that the hustle rate reaches up to 56 people per minute or more than 500 people every 10 minutes and was heaviest along Fraternal and Vergara Street.