Classes at UP, PUP Manila campuses suspended Jan. 9

Classes at the Manila campuses of the University of the Philippines (UP) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) will be suspended on Wednesday for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Both schools issued the announcements on their respective Twitter accounts on Tuesday afternoon. "For January 9, 2013... classes at all levels in UP Manila will be suspended due to anticipated heavy traffic which will be caused by the rerouting of the Black Nazarene procession," UP Manila said on its Twitter account. UP Manila offices, however, will be open until noon. It also said the Philippine General Hospital, which is under its administrative supervision, shall issue its own guidelines. For its part, the PUP tweeted classes at its campus in Sta. Mesa will be suspended Wednesday, "in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene." Devotees started to take part in activities marking the feast in Manila, including the traditional "pahalik." On Wednesday, they are expected to take part in the highlight of the feast —the traditional procession to Quiapo Church. — KBK, GMA News