MANILA — Some devotees of Jesus Nazareno attempted to climb its andas or carriage during Thursday's Traslacion, despite repeated warnings that it was prohibited.

The force from the devotees seemingly slowed the flow of the massive procession in Manila.

In 2024, the Andas made it back to the church at around 7:30 p.m. But based on Thursday's pace, the procession is behind by more than two hours.

Despite a new andas design, several devotees forced their way to touch the tip of the cross or the glass covering the image.

"Hindi po maiiwasan na sumampa, pagpapakita yun ng pananampalataya. Hindi kumpleto ang Traslacion kung hindi sasampa," said Gabriel Gutierrez, a young devotee.

(It will be hard to avoid climbing the Andas. It's an act of faith. The Traslacion is not complete without it.)

Alberto Labungray, a devotee who used to guard float, said the act of climbing is usually rooted in deep faith.

He said that with his age, he could no longer get close to the Andas. But he continued the devotion after recovering from a sickness.

"Nakalakad kasi ako matapos ma-stroke, maganda sa pakiramdam kaya kahit dito na lang ako sa gilid," Labungray said. 

(I was able to walk again after suffering a stroke, so I will just stay in the side.)

Nazareno devotees continue their 'panata' despite risks to safety

Devotees rush and climb atop the carriage carrying the Jesus Nazareno as it travels along Arlegui St. in Manila during the Traslacion on January 9, 2025. mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

The procession to the Philippine capital's Quiapo Church or Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno started before dawn after an open-air mass. It was expected to swell to more than two million participants from across the heavily Catholic country, church officials said.

Barefoot men and women in maroon shirts -- the color of the robe that covers the black, wooden Jesus Nazareno statue -- scrambled to grab the rope used to draw the life-sized religious icon, believing it would bring good health.

Some faithful threw white towels to worshippers tasked with guarding the float, hoping God's blessings might rub off on the cloths used to clean the statue's glass case.

One of the volunteer guards, Alvin Olicia, 38, told AFP he was unaffected by the "extreme heat or rain" he had confronted at past processions.

"I don't feel it at all. I like my task, because through catching other's handkerchiefs, I feel like I am connecting them to their faith and to the Nazarene."

Ester Espiritu, 76, who travelled 35 kilometers from her home in Cavite province, said just catching a glimpse of the Nazareno would be enough.

"Even if I'm struggling to come here because of my age... I feel happy and well whenever I see the Nazareno," said Espiritu, who added she was praying for relief from a lingering shoulder injury.

The giant religious parade commemorates the arrival of the wooden statue of the genuflecting Jesus Nazareno from Acapulco, Mexico, in the early 1600s, shortly after the start of the Spanish colonial conquest.

Its color was believed to have been caused by a fire aboard the Spanish galleon that was transporting it.

President Ferdinand Marcos said the annual celebration of the icon was a "testament to our people's solidarity and camaraderie".

"It also speaks of the immense power and compassion of God who walks with us and hears our prayers, especially in our time of need," Marcos said in a statement.

— With a report from Agence France-Presse