Traslacion 2026: Jesus Nazareno and Nuestra Señora Del Carmen meet at Dungaw

The image of Jesus Nazareno met His mother, the Nuestra Señora Del Carmen, during the traditional Dungaw rite early Saturday morning as part of Traslacion 2026. 

Jesus Nazareno arrived at Plaza del Carmen, outside the Minor Basilica and Parish of San Sebastian or the San Sebastian Church, where he met the Marian image at 4:05 a.m., according to the Manila Public Information Office.

His arrival was marked by the tolling of the bells and the crowd crying "Viva!” with hands raised in the air.

The meeting of the Nazareno and Marian images occurred much later this year, compared to last year's Dungaw, which happened at 5:57 p.m. (January 9, 2025).

The andas carrying the image of the Jesus Nazareno had departed the Quirino Grandstand at 4 a.m. Friday after the "Panalangin sa Bukang Liwayway" or the morning prayer. 

The procession initially moved quickly, matching the 2024 pace of around one kilometer per hour from the Quirino Grandstand to the National Museum. 

According to church officials, devotees were reportedly converging at the front of the andas, causing the procession to move slowly. The stretch from Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard and across Ayala — about a one-kilometer distance —  took more than six hours to complete. 

The number of devotees who attended this year's Traslacion has grown to 5,100,700, as of 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the Manila PIO.

The “Dungaw” rite, also known as La Mirata, is one of the highlights during the procession of Jesus Nazareno, per the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc.

In the ritual, the image of Jesus Nazareno makes a short stop at San Sebastian Church to have a glimpse of the Virgin Mary.

It serves as a symbol of maternal love, inviting reflection and prayer on the journey towards the ultimate destination — to be with Mary and her Son, the Nazarene. 

—CDC/VBL, GMA Integrated News