Traslación 2026: In Quiapo, faith is shared through open homes and warm meals

AAs millions of devotees flood the streets of Quiapo for the Feast of Jesus Nazarene on January 9, faith was not only seen in barefoot steps, whispered prayers, tolling bells, and chants of "Viva" — it was also felt in open doors and steaming plates of food.

For many families along the procession route, the feast day is a time to practice "caridad," a tradition rooted in charity and generosity.

From early morning until the crowds finally thin, some residents open their homes, offering water, rice meals, bread, and simple snacks to weary devotees.

Caridad, a Spanish term meaning charity, is traditionally observed during Holy Week. In Quiapo, however, the practice has taken on renewed meaning every January 9, woven quietly into the Feast of Jesus Nazarene through acts of shared nourishment and care.

For these families, sharing food is more than hospitality — it is a form of prayer and devotion. Through every meal served and every door kept open, faith is passed from hand to hand, reminding devotees that devotion is not only about sacrifice, but also about compassion.

A tradition carried through generations

For Noel’s family, caridad is deeply ingrained, nearly two decades in the making.

For almost 20 years, the family has opened their home along San Sebastian Street during the Feast of Jesus Nazarene, welcoming devotees inside and serving home-cooked meals as an expression of faith and charity.

This year, Noel prepared caldereta for lunch, inviting anyone who passed by to share a warm meal — no questions asked.

“Itong pagkaing niluluto ko ay para sa ating mga mamamayan, sa ating mga bisita na gutom dahil sa sobrang pagod,” Noel shared with GMA News Online.

“Pagkain at tubig ang pangunahing kailangan nila. Kaya kami ng pamilya ko, lagi kaming nagpapakain sa lahat ng daraan na namamanata dito sa amin,” he added.

For Noel, cooking meals for devotees is not only a panata but a way of sharing the blessings their family has received from Jesus Nazarene through the years.

“Palagi kaming blessed dahil sa kaniya. Kaya sa pagluluto ng mga pagkain para sa mga namamanata, shineshare namin ang blessing na natatanggap namin kay Jesus Nazareno,” he said.

Like Noel’s family, Pearl's household has also turned caridad into a yearly promise — one sustained by preparation, patience, and faith.

Pearl and her family, who live in Mandaluyong City, distributed 400 pieces of bread and bottles of water to the sea of devotees near San Sebastian Church this year.

“Tinapay at tubig kasi ang kailangan nila para panglaman ng tiyan. Nakakagutom at nakakauhaw ang Traslación,” Pearl told GMA News Online.

According to Pearl, preparations for their panata begin as early as December, with the help of family and friends. She has been practicing this tradition for six years now; her family has been devoted to Jesus Nazarene for 13 years.

“Maliit na bagay lang ‘yan, pero way ito ng pagshare namin ng blessings. Kasi kung blessed ka, magiging blessing ka rin sa ibang tao,” she said.

“Iba ang pagmamahal namin sa Poong Nazareno kasi sa lahat ng pagsubok namin sa buhay, andiyan siya para gabayan kami. Kaya taon-taon since 2016, palagi kaming nagdadala ng pagkain para sa mga kapwa deboto namin.”

A vow born from gratitude

For the Policarpio family, serving food to devotees is more an act of gratitude.

For four years now, the family has been cooking meals for devotees of Jesus Nazarene. They credit their unwavering faith for their mother surviving a battle with breast cancer.

“Last year, nagkacancer ‘yung mom namin pero hindi kami masyadong nahirapan sa medication. Naoperahan siya pero hindi ganoon kahirap dahil sa pananampalataya namin kay Jesus Nazareno,” Peter Policarpio shared.

Since becoming devotees of Jesus Nazarene, Peter said their family has felt continuously blessed.

This year, the Policarpios prepared thousands of hot meals and bottles of water—serving breakfast early in the morning and packed lunches of menudo to devotees who stopped by their home along San Sebastian Street.

“Pagkain at tubig kasi ang needs ng tao eh. Kapag naghapon, marami nang uhaw at gutom, tapos ‘yung mga namimigay ng pagkain sa labas, siyempre ubos na. Kaya sabi namin, magluluto kami ng tuloy-tuloy para masustain ‘yung needs nila hanggang gabi,” Peter shared.

“Small thing lang naman ‘yung food, pero malaking bagay na ‘yon para sa mga deboto, lalo na ‘yung iba diyan na walang sapat na pera,” he added.

A first step into caridad

Not all acts of caridad are rooted in years of tradition — some begin with a single, deeply personal intention.

Unlike the families who have long practiced caridad, it was a first-time act of devotion for Nida Dela Cruz, who flew in from Bohol with her family.

Attending the Feast of Jesus Nazarene for the first time, the family made sure they did not come empty-handed.

Nida brought 200 packed lunches and thousands of bottles of water, distributing them to devotees along the streets.

For her, the act of giving held personal significance — it was her way of celebrating her birthday, which coincided with the feast.

“Birthday ko ngayon at dito ko na lang icecelebrate ang birthday ko kasi kabirthday ko si Jesus Nazareno,” she said, adding that it was her panata.

Although it was Nida’s first time attending the Traslación, her faith in Jesus Nazarene has long been steadfast.

“Kahit first time ko dito, lagi akong nagdadasal tuwing January 9 doon sa simbahan sa amin sa Bohol,” she said.

Joining the Traslación for the first time, Nida said she remains deeply thankful to Jesus Nazarene for the comfort He has brought into her life and for the blessings she continues to receive.

In the end, the Feast of Jesus Nazarene is not just about a powerful show of faith and devotion, but proof that there is still humanity after all.

Whether it is a long-standing family vow or a first-time act of faith, every meal served and every bottle of water handed out becomes a tangible expression of love and community, reminding devotees that the Feast of Jesus Nazarene is as much about giving as it is about receiving. —JCB, GMA Integrated News