More Manila schools suspend classes on Jan. 9 for Nazarene feast

Published January 7, 2013 9:20am

(Updated 1:32 p.m.) At least three more schools in Manila are suspending classes on Wednesday, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, as it expects heavy traffic in several areas in the city on that day.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran said both classes and offices will be suspended on that day to give way to the activities related to the occasion.

"To those asking, classes and offices will be suspended on January 9, in anticipation of activities related to the Feast of (the) Black Nazarene," it said on its Twitter account Monday.

Adamson University likewise said on its Twitter account that it is suspending classes on Wednesday.

"All classes and work will be suspended on Jan 9 (Wed) in line with the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene," it said.

On its official Facebook page, the University of the East Manila (UE) also announced Monday the suspension of its classes on the January 9.

"UE MANILA classes in all levels on January 9, 2013, Wednesday, are suspended per the instruction of UE President Ester A. Garcia, in line with the Feast of the Black Nazarene. All UE MANILA offices will be closed on that day as well," it said on its page.

The Mapua Institute of Technology said it will suspend classes - but not office work - for Wednesday in its Intramuros campus.

"No classes on Wednesday, 9 Jan. 2013, for Intramuros campus only," it said on its Twitter account.

Mapua issued a separate advisory on its Facebook page indicating this was due to "anticipation of the high volume of traffic" during the procession.

"Nevertheless, it would be a regular working day for all employees. Mapúa Makati campus will likewise continue to hold regular classes," Mapua president Dr. Reynaldo Vea said.

Before this, the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University (FEU), and San Beda College have already suspended their Wednesday classes for the same reason.

"Classes in FEU Manila will be suspended on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 due to Feast of the Black Nazarene celebration. -Liz Weng PRO, FEUCSO," the official Twitter account of its student council said last January 4.

"Please be informed that classes shall be suspended on Jan 9, 2013 in observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene," the UST student council said.

"ANNOUNCEMENT: In relation to the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, there will be no classes on January 9, Wednesday," the official student publication of San Beda College said on its Twitter account on January 6.

over the weekend, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim also announced the suspension of the following city-run schools in commemoration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene:

Araullo High School
Geronimo Santiago Elementary School
Manila Science High School
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Ramon Avancena High School
Universidad De Manila
V Mapa High School; Manila High School

A separate report on dzBB radio on Monday said some 11 million devotees are expected to start flocking to Manila this coming week for the yearly Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The devotees believe the image of the Black Nazarene, housed at the Quiapo Church in Manila, has miraculous powers.

Highlighting the festivities will be the yearly procession bringing back the image to Quiapo Church on Jan. 9.

The procession's route will include many areas in Manila's Sta. Cruz and Quiapo districts.

Water stations

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it will set up first-aid stations and water stations at strategic points of the procession route.

The NDRRMC said this was after it noted several devotees suffered injuries and dehydration last year, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported. — with Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: blacknazarene, feastoftheblacknazarene, suspensionofclasses,