After longest Traslacion, changes in andas, crowd control measures eyed for 2027

The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno or Quiapo Church is looking into changes in the andas, or carriage bearing the Jesus Nazareno image, and crowd management for Traslacion 2027, after the recent procession in Manila took nearly 31 hours and resulted in four reported casualties.

Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano on Saturday said the andas was covered with moisture despite being perforated, and its bottom part was damaged, according to a Super Radyo dzBB report on Sunday.

Meanwhile, devotees blocked the front of the andas, causing the Traslacion to move more slowly.

Quiapo officials are also looking into shortening the route.

“Pangunahin sa mas agresibong mga kabataang mga deboto na talagang pinipiling pumunta sa harapan ng andas at sumampa sa harapan ng andas,” said Alex Irasga, Quiapo Church technical adviser.

(The youth is more aggressive and chose to climb in front of the andas.)

“In my several years na ako ay nasa baba sa harapan ng andas, kahapon lang ako nakakita ng ganoong klaseng aggressiveness ng mga kabataan na para bang mas malakas sila sa nakakatandang mga deboto,” he added.

(In my several years at the bottom of the andas, I only saw that kind of aggressiveness yesterday, as though they were stronger than the older devotees.)

Police Major Hazel Asilo, National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson, shared the same sentiments of changing the andas and the procession route.

She said the long hours of the procession caused medical emergencies.

“'Yung safety din ng mga deboto ang iniisip natin. As much possible, gusto natin na mas maiksing oras na maipasok ang andas para na rin sa kaligtasan ng lahat,” Asilo said in a dzBB interview.

(We’re thinking of the safety of the devotees. As much as possible, we want a shorter procession so the andas can be brought back to Quiapo Church, and for everyone’s safety.)

“'Yung ruta, baka puwedeng gawing iba. Mas maiksi at malalaking daan para mas maging maayos sa lahat,” she added.

(Maybe we can shorten the route and choose more spacious streets for an orderly procession.)

Asilo also said NCRPO and other concerned agencies and stakeholders will conduct a critic session to improve the Traslacion for next year.

A total of 9,640,290 devotees participated in the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, which culminated with the Traslacion that ended after nearly 31 hours, the Quiapo Church said.

The traditional Traslacion is a procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church of the 400-year-old image of Jesus Nazareno.

This year's Traslacion was the longest recorded in history, Quiapo Church communications coordinator Silgen Cabrito said. —KG, GMA Integrated News