Some said they prayed for good health for their families, an end to tensions in the South China Sea and for incoming US president Donald Trump to be kinder to Filipino immigrants.
The procession marks the feast of Jesus Nazareno and is a major annual Catholic event in Asia. The image was previously called the Black Nazarene, but Catholic Church officials appealed for a change, saying the former name was not founded in history and evoked a racial slur.
Following the six-kilometer route, the procession to the Quiapo Church, which started before dawn after an open-air mass, was expected to swell to more than two million participants from across the heavily Catholic country, Church officials said.
Last year, at least two million devotees joined the 15-hour procession, with some estimates of the crowd as high as over six million.
Fr. Robert Arellano, spokesman for Nazareno 2025, said the procession might take longer this year as it encountered delays along the way.
He urged devotees to avoid climbing onto the carriage, emphasizing that the action hinders the procession’s progress.
Barefoot men and women in maroon shirts – the color of the robe that covers the black, wooden Jesus the Nazarene statue – scrambled to grab the rope used to draw the life-sized religious icon, believing it would bring good health.
This story is from the January 10, 2025 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 10, 2025 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Trilateral phone call set among BBM, Biden, Ishiba
President Marcos is scheduled to have a phone call with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba months after their countries held a historic trilateral summit in Washington.
BI nabs 400 foreigners in Parañaque scam hub
Close to 400 foreign nationals were apprehended during a raid on an alleged scam hub in Parañaque on Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Immigration.
BITUIN ESCALANTE HOPES FOR A POST-MMFF LIFE FOR 'ISANG HIMALA'
BITUIN ESCALANTE, ONE OF THE STARS OF THE 50th Metro Manila Film Festival entry, \"Isang Himala,\" is realistic yet hopeful about the movie musical's potential to reach a wider audience even after the festival.
Eraserheads Docu Feature to Have a Three-Day Run in March
Legendary Original Pilipino Music (OPM) band Eraserheads' upcoming documentary film, \"Eraserheads: Combo on the Run,\" will officially hit theaters on March 21 to 23.
A RECAP OF THE TOP SHOWBIZ NEWS IN 2024
Before the showbiz circus goes into full swing this 2025, let's recap the top news of 2024 and what those headlines left us with.
Robbie Williams has always lived to entertain
\"I came out of the womb with jazz hands,\" pop star Robbie Williams recounts in \"Better Man,\" his new biopic.
Green Bones: 100 minutes of kindness
Told in one hour and 40 minutes, Green Bones is gospel truth on why it is important to be kind.
REDEFINING THE NIGHTLIFE: THE FIRST SAPPHIC PARTY IN BAGUIO CITY
It's not often that spaces for queer women emerge—especially in a predominantly Catholic and patriarchal country, and even less so in provinces less urbanized than Metro Manila. This makes the recent sapphic event in Baguio City a groundbreaking moment for the queer women community in the region.
DOES GROWING UP MEAN OUTGROWING YOUR FRIENDSHIPS?
Sometimes letting go and moving forward can be the most loving choice
FILLPINO MOMENTS AND OLD HOLLYWOOD AT GOLDEN GLOBES
The first fashion party of the year kicked off at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards and the Philippines was represented thanks to model Kelsey Merritt who made waves on the red carpet and Monique Lhuillier, a favorite designer to the stars.