First Friday mass goers show glimpse of Black Nazarene crowd on Jan. 9

Despite intermittent rains, devotees trooped to Quiapo Church for the First Friday mass and to get an early glimpse of the Black Nazarene ahead of its feast on January 9, Monday.

People of all ages teemed along Plaza Miranda and its side streets to attend the mass and to get in the church as early as Friday morning, according to a report by Raffy Tima on "24 Oras."

"Mahirap. Basta makarating ako rito para sa asawa ko ...," Lily Chua said.

The Walk of Faith procession will start from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on January 8, 2023, from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

The procession will pass along Quirino Grandstand, Katigbak Road, Padre Burgos Street, Jones Bridge, Dasmariñas Street, Sta. Cruz, Palanca Street, Quezon Blvd., Arlegui Street, P. Casal Street, Concepcion Street, Carcer Street, Hidalgo Street, Bilibid Viejo/ G. Puyat Street, Guzman Street, Villalobos Street up to Quiapo Church.

Some roads will also be closed to traffic on January 6 and 8 in light of the Nazarene 2023 activities.

“Bibigyang diin po natin ay yung mga personal na debosyon. Debosyon ng mga pamilya, komunindad. Mas mainam po na yung inyong mga replica na malilit na Nazareno sa inyong mga altar sa mga tindahan ay yun po ang dalhin yun po ang ipu-prusisyon natin,” said Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez, spokesperson of Quiapo Church.

“Rain or shine po tayo, tuloy po tayo sa ating mga activities, discouraged po ang pagdadala ng mga payong subalit ang talagang required ay ang pagdadala ng mga kapote na transparent,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has declared January 9, a special non-working day in Manila, to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News