LOOK: Devotees fight their way to get closer to Black Nazarene image 

Barefoot devotees of the Black Nazarene flocked to Quirino Grandstand in Manila early Friday morning to join the Traslacion or the grand procession of the the centuries-old image of Jesus Christ going back to its home, the Quiapo Church. 

 

The procession, which usually last from early morning to pre-dawn the next day snaking around the streets of Manila City, is also viewed as pilgrimage experience. 

 

The photos show devotees trying to get close to the Black Nazarene's carosa to touch the image, which is guarded by the "namamasan" called Hijos Del Señor Nazareno who are dressed in yellow shirts. To get to the icon, some devotees have to step on other people's heads just to get to the Poong Nazareno. 

 

An aerial shot taken by GMA News reporter Raffy Tima gave a bird's eye view of Luneta Park and its sea of Black Nazarene devotees.

 The Traslacion had a slow start this year after it was delayed for nearly two hours. It officially started at 8:07 a.m. 

There were more than a million devotees who joined the procession. 
 

An hour after the Traslacion started, a 44-year-old male devotee escorting the image of the Black Nazarene died of heart attack. 

Here are some of the images of the procession from YouScoop: