5M devotees expected to join Nazareno 2023 Walk of Faith — MPD

Around 5 million devotees are expected to participate in the Walk of Faith procession during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 8, the Manila Police District (MPD) said Wednesday.

“Kagaya po ng nakagawian, ini-expect pa rin po natin yung usual na 5 million na devotees ang nagpa-participate dito,” MPD chief Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(Like the tradition, we are still expecting that the usual 5 million devotees will participate in the activity.)

According to Dizon, around 5,000 personnel will be deployed to different activities during the Nazareno 2023 festivities.

A send-off ceremony of designated personnel will be held on Thursday, he added.

The Walk of Faith procession, which served as an alternative to the traditional Traslacion, will start from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on January 8 from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Unlike in the Traslacion, the image of the Black Nazarene would not be exhibited during the Walk of Faith.

Nazareno 2023 adviser Alex Irasga in December 2022 said traditional activities will be conducted except for pahalik (kissing of Black Nazarene image) and pasanan (carrying).

The Quiapo Church has been adjusting some activities for the Black Nazarene feast in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, some roads will be closed to traffic on January 6 and 8 in light of the Nazarene 2023 activities, according to the MPD. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News