Thousands line up as Pahalik begins

Thousands of devotees lined up at the Quirino Grandstand on Wednesday to take part in the Pahalik tradition for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

Some devotees arrived as early as 4 a.m., with the line stretching around the grandstand by 4 p.m.

Devotee Lorna Jumawan from Tondo was among those who lined up with her children and grandchildren starting at 7 a.m.

“Pamamanata po [ang rason namin]. Taon-taon po yan, 20 years na (It's our devotion. We have been doing this yearly for the past 20 years),” she said.

“Tinuturuan na talaga [ang mga bata]. Pag alam na nila yung ganito, paglaki nila at tsaka wala na kami, sila naman ang pipila,” she added.

(We’re really teaching the children. If they learn this now, when they grow up and we’re no longer around, they’ll be the ones lining up.)

Jumawan said she consistently prays for the safety and success of her family.

Meanwhile, some devotees complained about alleged VIPs seemingly cutting the line.

Ekki Alvarez, a Quiapo devotee for 35 years, said he had been lining up since midnight.

However, he claimed that devotees were being overtaken by families of volunteers.

“Kami inabot dito alas-dos ng madaling araw, marami nang nakapila… Hindi sila nagpapapasok. Naguguluhan kami, kanina pa sila nagpapapasok ng member ng simbahan, sila ang nangunguna,” he said.

(We’ve been here since 2 a.m., and many people were already in line… They wouldn’t let us in. We’re confused because they kept letting church members enter first.)

“Simula kanina, yung pilang ’to, madaling araw pa ’to. Noong nakaraang taon, diretso lang—very flowy ang nangyari dito. Ngayon lang ito. Talagang legit na Hijos lang ang nagpapapasok noon, ngayon buong pamilya na,” he added.

(This line has been here since early morning. Last year, everything moved smoothly. This situation is only happening this year. Before, only Hijos were legitimately allowed in, but now entire families are being let through.)

Ushers from the Hijos del Nazareno Anpon clarified that no priority was being given and said the first to participate in the Pahalik were volunteers at around 5 p.m.

Devotees were allowed to begin the Pahalik at 7 p.m., after the 6 p.m. Mass for volunteers.

As of 9:15 p.m., around 4,000 devotees were at the Quirino Grandstand for the Pahalik, according to the Manila Police District. Organizers of this year's Traslacion have set up a new queue system for the Pahalik to ensure a smoother procession this year. —MCG, GMA Integrated News

Read the do’s and don’ts for Traslacion 2026 here.