NAZARENO ‘PAHALIK’ STARTS AT QUIRINO GRANDSTAND

THOUSANDS of devotees have started to flock to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila as the traditional “pahalik” for the Jesus Nazareno image began on Monday night.

The activity, which was initially scheduled at 12 a.m. Tuesday (January 7), commenced ahead of schedule as devotees of the Nazareno already arrived at the venue following the Mass for volunteers.

Manila Police District (MPD) chief Police Brigadier General Thomas Ibay said the crowd for the “pahalik” may peak on Wednesday to Thursday.

“Pahalik” literally means kissing but some devotees also just touch or wipe their handkerchiefs and other pieces on cloth on the image of Jesus Nazareno.

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula will preside over the traditional “Misa Mayor” at midnight on Jan. 9.

The celebration officially began on Dec. 31 with a Novena Mass, followed by the blessing of replica images and estandarte (banners) by Quiapo priests on Jan. 2.

The feast’s highlight is the Traslacion, a grand procession of the revered image of Jesus Nazareno accompanied by millions of devotees from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo.

According to the Quiapo Church, last year’s Traslacion was attended by 6.5 million devotees.