Andas ropes break; devotees jump off roofs in Traslacion 2025, MPD says

The two ropes of the andas or carriage of the Jesus Nazareno image were broken during the Traslacion on Thursday, according to Manila Police District (MPD).

According to the Quiapo Church, one rope broke as the andas was crossing Finance Road to Ayala Boulevard on Thursday morning.

The second rope, meanwhile, snapped in the evening within the vicinity of San Sebastian Church, the venue of the traditional Dungaw where the Jesus Nazareno image symbolically meets His mother Nuestra Señora del Carmen.

Without both of the ropes, the andas was moving solely through the Hijos del Nazareno who were pushing the carriage amid the crowds of devotees.

"Pagpasan" or pulling of the andas rope signifies oneness with the suffering of Jesus Nazareno, the Quiapo Church previously explained.

Some devotees have associated pulling the rope with receiving blessings in life, making their way through crowds just to touch it. Ahead of the ongoing Traslacion or religious procession, the Quiapo Church renewed its call to make the pulling of the andas rope safe and orderly.

Telling reporters earlier in the day that the first broke, MPD chief Police Brigadier General Thomas Ibay said, "Putol 'yung isang lubid kaya wala na ring balanse. Isa na lang 'yung nahihila. Talagang humihina rin 'yung lubid na iyon. Napuputol dahil sa dami na rin ng humihila."

(One rope broke that's why there's no balance. Only one is pulling the carriage. That rope eventually gets worn out and breaks because so many people are pulling it.)

Ibay said some devotees were jumping from roofs to the andas during the procession.

"Ang nangyayari kasi pagdating ng mga ganiyang behavior, ang uma-address ay kapwa deboto, hijos muna ang kumakausap sa kapwa nila deboto," he said.

(When it comes to these behaviors, fellow devotees, the hijos, speak to other devotees first.)

"Saka na lang pumapasok ang PNP kapag nagkakaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan," he added.

(The PNP steps in only there is a misunderstanding.)

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Some devotees were going against the direction of Traslacion and climbing over the andas, which has made the pace of the procession slower this year compared to 2024.

"Mas mabagal ngayon compared to last year 'yung movement because of the devotees na sumasalubong at pilit na sumasampa kaya naaantala," Ibay said.

(The movement is slower this time compared to last year because of the devotees who attempt to climb the carriage.)

"Nakita namin 'yun dito pa lang sa Quirino Grandstand talagang nag-cause 'yun ng pagiging mabagal ng takbo ng andas," he added.

(We saw that here in Quirino Grandstand where the procession started and that caused the andas' movement to slow down.)

Last year, the Traslacion took almost 15 hours.

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Based on the current pace, Ibay 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 the Quiapo Church. — VDV, GMA Integrated News