Marilyn Cahatol

Thousands of devotees jostle and grapple for the ropes and a chance to climb the andas as the Traslación passes through Palanca Street in Quiapo, Manila, on January 9, 2026. Millions of faithful gathered today to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene, an image revered for its history of granting miracles. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

2026 TRASLACION

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176821857016520260109-traslacion-palanca-quezon-boulevard-MT17.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Thousands of devotees jostle and grapple for the ropes and a chance to climb the andas as the Traslación passes through Palanca Street in Quiapo, Manila, on January 9, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA — The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno reported<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/10/2-devotees-die-849-given-medical-help-in-traslacion-2026-1021"> four casualties</a> during the overall celebration of the Nazareno 2026. According to church officials, three deaths were recorded during the Traslacion itself.“Ang hinihingi po namin ay ipagdasal po sila… Napakaraming taong dumagsa ngayong taon na ito at talagang sinasalubong po nila ang andas at napakahirap buwagin ng kanilang pwersa,” said Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS, spokesperson for Nazareno 2026.One of those who died was 41-year-old Jeffrey Anos, a call center agent and a devoted Quiapo churchgoer. His mother, Emily Anos, is now left carrying what she described as overwhelming grief and longing after losing her son.Emily recalled that Jeffrey left home at around six in the morning on January 9 to attend Mass at Quiapo before heading to work.“Nagpaalam lang po sa akin na papasok na siya. Sabi niya kasi po kay papa niya, pa hindi ako nakatulog kagabi, masakit ‘yong dibdib ko. Sabi ko naman sa kaniya, wag ka nang pumasok. Hinahabol niya po talaga ‘yong pagsimba niya sa Quiapo. Pag Fiesta po ng Quiapo, nagsisimba po siya bago pumasok,” said Emily. After attending Mass, Jeffrey proceeded toward his office along Carlos Palanca Street, where thousands of devotees had already gathered to await the passing of the andas or carriage of Jesus Nazareno. It was there that he lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital but was later declared dead.“Lord sabi ko bakit ganyan? Kung kailan Fiesta ng Quiapo doon n’yo kinuha ang anak ko. Masakit,” Emily added. Jeffrey’s father, Augusto Anos, himself a long-time devotee, said the loss has been deeply painful for their family.“Deboto po ako, magmula po noong 1975, hanggang na-stroke po ako. Ako po ‘yong tumutulak sa likod ng Nazareno… Masakit po sa akin na kinuha agad siya… Pinagpi-pray ko na lang po na lumigaya na siya sa pangalawang buhay.”The church assured that it will extend assistance to the families of those who died during the celebration.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/9/photojournalist-covering-traslacion-dies-1251">Photojournalist dies after collapsing at Traslacion coverage; hundreds of devotees given medical aid</a></div>Aside from the fatalities, more than a thousand devotees were reported injured or hurt during the Traslacion. Among them was Jeric San Antonio, a member of the Hijos del Nazareno who has served as a devotee for more than two decades.San Antonio was among those tasked to help protect the image of Jesus Nazareno. However, due to exhaustion and lack of sleep, he passed put in the middle of the procession.“Ang na-visualize ko noon kulay puti lang. Naririnig ko ‘yong crowd pero puti lang ang nakikita ko habang naghahabol ng hininga… Bumagsak ‘yong oxygen ng katawan ko,” said Jeric. His wife, Hanzel San Antonio, said she feared the worst when her husband collapsed.“Thankful ako sa pangalawang buhay niya kasi pumapasok na talaga sa utak ko na baka sunod na ibalita, wala na siya… Sana Lord, hindi mangyari ‘yong iniisip ko… Binigay sa akin.”Despite the risk, San Antonio said his faith remains the same.“Uulitin at uulitin. Sakin kasi ay buhay na pananampalataya ito… Hindi pa ito ‘yong oras. May misyon pa ako na ibibigay ang Nazareno para sa akin.”Meanwhile, both church authorities and the police said they are open to conducting a thorough review of possible changes for future Traslacion events. These include revisiting the design of the andas and the route of the procession.NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo cited structural concerns with the carriage as one of the factors affecting crowd movement and safety.“Bukod sa may nag-aabang ng crowd, may mga instances na nabalahaw doon siya sa gilid, hindi siya agad makaalis so nakikita namin isa sa reason is structure nung ating andas which is from 3 gulong naging 4, imagine mas mahirap imaniobra ‘yung 4 na gulong.&quot;Fr. Arellano added that the church will initiate its own evaluation process.“Para magkaroon kami ng assessment ‘yong sa mga areas that we need to improve, ‘yong mga areas na dapat naming baguhin, mga areas na dapat nating patatagin.”While acts of sacrifice and devotion remain central to the annual Traslacion, church officials emphasized that devotees must also learn to recognize the limits of their faith and physical capacity.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/12/ncrpo-eyes-more-hijos-police-deployment-for-next-traslacion-1523">NCRPO eyes more hijos police deployment for next Traslacion</a></div><div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-b0fIklbhs?si=luZhu9wab6WVPq2N" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

While acts of sacrifice and devotion remain central to the annual Traslacion, church officials emphasized that devotees must also learn to recognize the limits of their faith and physical capacity.

While acts of sacrifice and devotion remain central to the annual Traslacion, church officials emphasized that devotees must also learn to recognize the limits of their faith and physical capacity.

Church, police eye Traslacion changes after 4 casualties

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Church, police eye Traslacion changes after 4 casualties

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 12, 2026 08:01 PM PHT

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Nazareno 2026

casualty

Traslacion

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Hijos Del Nazareno

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