The Traslacion of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, also known as the Black Nazarene, is the most anticipated religious event in the Philippines, taking place on January 9 of each year. Millions of devotees attend this prelude to the Lenten Season to commemorate the Transfer of the Image from Intramuros to Quiapo in 1787. (different from the day of the arrival which took place on 31 May 1606).
The highlight of the festivities is the procession itself, which takes place on January 9 and involves the placement of the image in the Andas while it is guarded by the "Hijos del Nazareno." Since 2009, after the first successful plan to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Image's arrival in 2007 was implemented, the Image is brought from the Quirino Grandstand in Ermita to the Quiapo Church.
The Length of the Procession
Before the move to Grandstand, including the initial move in 2007, the Traslacion, renowned for its "Usad Pagong" speed, lasted an average of 6-10 hours, beginning at Noon-early Afternoon and concluding the same day at Night. And beginning in 2009, when the Grandstand festivities begin, the Procession will begin in the morning and last between 10 and 12 hours.
However, in 2012 a mishap on the wheels of the Andas would made that year the longest in history, beginning at morning and ended early morning the following day. Since then we made a "track record" of the duration of the Procession the following years to ensure that none of it would break the record set in 2012.
And to determine the length of the Procession, we timed it from the moment the Andas began to move from its position on the left side of the Grandstand (facing the crowd) until the "Puerta Mayor" or Main Gate completely closed, regardless of where the Andas was inside the Basilica.
This article will also include some historical events that occurred during the Traslacion over time.
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This article will also include some historical events that occurred during the Traslacion over time.
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2012: 22 hours, 14 minutes
Length of Route: 6382 m
Start of Procession: 7.57am of January 9
End of Procession: 6.11am of January 10
The Traslacion that made history due to the mishap with the wheels breaking at the Manila Hotel and the rope reportedly broke near Liwasang Bonifacio, the Devotees had to carry the Andas via the Pingga. Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio begged the Devotees to alter the route by turning left to Villalobos when it was at C. Palanca, however the devotees, determined to finish the Procession, still toured the damaged Andas (which is 8ft. and aprrox. 700 pounds or more) to its traditional route by carrying it using the Pingga until it arrived at Plaza Miranda at approx. 5.30am of January 10, but it got delayed more due to the on-going Mass taking place the moment the Andas arrived.
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Length of Route: 6382 m
Start of Procession: 7.28am of January 9
End of Procession: 1.31am of January 10
After the mishap of the previous year's Traslacion took place, the Andas was given Forklift wheels to ensure that it could handle the weight of the Hijos taking care of the Senor and the people climbing it. And sure enough, with the same route as the previous years and with a quicker pace, the procession went on without a hitch.
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2014: 18 hours, 25 minutes
Length of Route: 6856 m
Start of Procession: 7.32am of January 9
End of Procession: 1.57am of January 10
With McArthur Bridge in need of retrofitting, the route for that year's Procession was modified and was moved to Jones bridge, thus extending the length by approx. 474m and also entering the district of Binondo.
That year will also be remember for 2 reason, one good and one bad. The good is the revival of a Marian tradition called the "Dungaw" with the "Queen of Quiapo" Nuestra Senora del Carmen de San Sebastian Coronada. While the bad is how the Procession began, just as the Holy Mass is at the "Lamb of God" before Communion "Devotees" started swaming the Grandstand just to approach the Image, interrupting the Mass and having the Procession to began prematurely. Not only that but the Image was stuck at one area of the Grandstand for quite sometime before being placed in the Andas. This event made some people think that most of the people participating are "Fanatics" with regards to their disruption of the Holy Mass, let alone the most Sacred part.
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2015: 19 hours, 32 minutes
Length of Route: 7059 m
Start of Procession: 8.07am of January 9
End of Procession: 3.41am of January 10
A lot of events took place in regards to the Traslacion, few days before Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines. A building in Escolata Street caught Fire just 2 days before the event so they had to alter the route by going another block in Dasmarinas street, which means it added approx. 203m of the traditional route.
On the day of the actual Procession, several changes took place. The Holy Mass took place at Midnight after the unfortunate event took place the previous year and the Procession began after the recitation of the Morning Prayers. The Procession got delayed by 1 hour and 39 minutes due to the rope and the Pingga not being attached.
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2016: 20 hours, 9 minutes
Length of Route: 7059 m
Start of Procession: 5.53am of January 9
End of Procession: 2.02am of January 10
With the Procession keeping the same route, the Church authorities at Sta. Cruz Chuch decided to brought out the Image of Nuestra Senora del Pilar as it passed her home. This rite would be called the "Tagpo"
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2017: 21 hours, 58 minutes
Length of Route: 7059 m
Start of Procession: 5.32am of January 9
End of Procession: 3.30am of January 10
The second-longest Traslacion after 2012, with the same route as the previous year.
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2018: 21 hours, 54 minutes
Length of Route: 7018 m
Start of Procession: 5.07am of January 9
End of Procession: 3.01am of January 10
Overall Speed of Procession: 320.46 m/h
The route was modified slightly that year, passing through the P. Burgos and Jones bridge counter flow and maintaining the traditional route for the remainder of the Procession..
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The route was modified slightly that year, passing through the P. Burgos and Jones bridge counter flow and maintaining the traditional route for the remainder of the Procession..
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2019: 21 hours, 13 minutes
Length of Route: 7002 m
Start of Procession: 5.08am of January 9
End of Procession: 2.21am of January 10
the route was modified at the "last minute" when it keep going to Hidalgo then turning left to Quezon Blvd. thus not passing to Barbosa and Globo de Oro. The reason was those said streets was dark and might bring some hazards to barefoot devotees. It was previewed during the Thanksgiving Procession of that year and it was proved to be successful.
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2020: 16 hours, 36 minutes
Length of Route: 6231 m
Start of Procession: 4.14am of January 9
End of Procession: 8.49pm of January 9
Conclusion
As of 2020, if we combine all the overall speed of the Procession from 2012 up to present, the average speed of the Procession will go at about 341.30m/h or basically it will take the Andas to go around the current procession route of about 18 hours and 15 minutes.
We are not affiliated with Quiapo Church, this is our own study that we conducted on the duration of the Traslacion since the historic 22-hour back in 2012. The officials at Quiapo Church stated that they don't mind how quick or how slow the Traslacion lasts, as long as the devotees are safe and it ends peacefully. But we all should remember that faith isn't determined to how long the Procession lasts or how quick the Andas moves, it is determined by your love and devotion.
