Traslacion 2026 slower as devotees block andas — church officials

The Traslacion moved slower through its route in Manila on Friday as devotees were reportedly converging at the front of the andas, according to church officials.

Initially, the procession moved quickly, matching the 2024 pace of about one kilometer per hour from the Quirino Grandstand to the National Museum.

However, the stretch from Finance Road through Ayala Boulevard and across Ayala Bridge with around a one kilometer distance took more than six hours to complete, making it slower than the 2025 record.

“But we consume six and a half hours. Meaning mas lalagpasan pa natin yung bagal noong 2025 sa same na lugar na yan (Meaning, we will exceed the slow pace experienced in 2025 at the same area),” Traslacion  technical working group head Alex Irasga said at a press conference.

“Lagi naming binabanggit ang kahabaan ng Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard hanggang makatawid ng Ayala Bridge ang pinakamahirap po talagang stage na aming dinaraanan,” he added.

(We always mention that the stretch of Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard up to Ayala Bridge is the most difficult stage that we'll be passing through.)

The front portion posed the biggest challenge as many devotees attempted to approach the andas, according to Irasga.

This caused the carriage to tilt forward, making it harder to move, especially when passing uneven road surfaces, he added.

Irasga said that if the current pace continues, the Traslacion may again reach the 21-hour duration recorded in 2025, rather than the faster 15-hour procession in 2024.

All four wheels of the andas are still intact. Despite the signs of wear, organizers said the ropes of andas remain stable. This was the time that the andas crossed Ayala Bridge without the rope breaking.

Fog was observed on the glass of the andas. Irasga said this was caused by temperature differences and sweat from devotees touching the glass.

As the day became warmer, the moisture gradually cleared.

Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Father Robert Arellano renewed the church’s appeal for devotees to avoid blocking the procession.

“Ang aming pakiusap kagaya nga ng ating mga karanasan sa mga nagdaang oras, nawa ang ating mga kadeboto, yung mga taong nais dumalo sa prusisyon o traslacion, pakiusap po: Huwag po nating salubungin,” Arellano said.

(We request that our devotees don't [block] the procession.)

“Nawa makipagtulungan po tayo sa mga ipinag-uutos ng mga namumuno mismo doon sa andas o prusisyon na huwag nating harangin para dire-diretsong umusad at gumalaw ang maayos na takbo ng ating prusisyon,” he added.

(We hope that all will cooperate in not blocking the procession so that it will go on smoothly.)

Around 300 devotees needed medical assistance during the procession, mostly involving dizziness, fatigue, and minor injuries. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News