Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Arts and Culture

Black Nazarene procession in the Philippines

Millions of devotees joined the Translacion of Black Nazarene statue in Manila, with prayers and hopes for a miracle.

Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Thousands of devotees and Black Nazarene replicas are blessed with holy water from a position above the streets outside the Minor Basilica in Quiapo, Manila, on January 7 before the procession of the Black Nazarene. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
By Vincent Go
Published On 17 Jan 201617 Jan 2016
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Manila, Philippines – The religious ritual, Translacion, is the nearly 20-hour-long procession of the Black Nazarene statue, which is believed to grant miracles, through the streets of Manila. It draws millions of devotees to the capital of the Philippines for the spectacular religious celebration every year. 

The Black Nazarene statue is believed to have been carved out of black mesquite wood brought from Mexico to the Philippines by Augustinian friars in 1606. The Translacion commemorates the transferring of the iconic image of Jesus Christ from where it was enshrined in Intramuros to Minor Basilica in the Quiapo district in Manila on January 9, 1767.

Over the centuries, the carved figure has survived numerous disasters, even surviving the fiery destruction of Quiapo during the Liberation of Manila in World War II. This resiliency through the ages and the mysticism that surrounds it draws more and more devotees every year to the Black Nazarene.

The festivity starts on January 7, with devotees bringing their own statuettes or replica images of the Black Nazarene to be blessed. Devotees endure sleep deprivation, extreme heat, hunger, and even injuries during the procession of the statue for a chance to touch, kiss, or simply feel close to the Black Nazarene.

Advertisement

Many critics say that the parade is all about fanaticism and mindless idolatry, but Jayeel Serrano Cornelio, sociologist and director of the Development Studies programme at the Ateneo de Manila University, disagrees. “It takes a lot of courage, conviction and willpower to do what a devotee does,” he said. “Many of these people who comment about the procession have not been there.”

About 5,000 police and another 900 military personnel were deployed to ensure the security at this year’s parade. More than 1,500 were treated for injuries, with one cardiac-related fatality, according to the government and Red Cross.

Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Devotees parade a replica of the Black Nazarene statue during the replicas parade, before the passage of the Black Nazarene.[Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
'Devotees there have various reasons for being there. In popular Filipino religiosity, the forgiveness of sins is not the biggest concern. Many are there to express gratitude to God or seek help and enlightenment for their own needs,' explained Jayeel Serrano Cornelio, a sociologist, at Ateneo de Manila University. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Many parents bring their children along to watch the parade of replicas outside the Minor Basilica, in Quiapo, Manila, which takes place before the procession of the Black Nazarene. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
'When I was five or six, my father started to bring us to the procession every year,' said 60-year-old mother of seven, Milagros Pamintuan, who travelled all the way from Pampanga, north of Manila. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Millions of devotees participated in the procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9. 'I always try to make it a point to come and personally thank him for answering all my prayers that my seven children could finish college and for everyone to have good health,' said Milagros, who said she missed the procession only once because she was rushed to the hospital to give birth to her fifth child. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in his homily on January 9, asked the crowd: 'Have you ever experienced having no one to turn to and no one to hold on to? Go to him, and you will understand and experience for yourselves why the devotees have that kind of affection towards the Black Nazarene.' [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Devotees use their towels to wipe images of the Black Nazarene, which they believe will grant miracles. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Many pilgrims are injured with the sheer number of people rushing to climb the carriage for a chance to touch the Black Nazarene. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Military personnel are called to help and to secure the parade route with the huge volume of participants during the procession. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
A vendor sells amulets and luck charms from a makeshift stall outside the Minor Basilica in Quiapo, Manila. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Devotees push, shove and jostle to climb up the carriage carrying the Black Nazarene.[Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
Devotees grapple for the rope for a chance to pull the carriage of the Black Nazarene. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]
Millions Join "Traslacion 2016" in Manila/Please Do Not Use
About 5,000 police and another 900 military personnel were deployed to ensure security at this year's parade. More than 1,500 people were treated for injuries. [Vincent Go/Al Jazeera]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network