Dos and Don’ts on Nazareno 2023

AUTHORITIES from the Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica of Black Nazarene released the rules and regulations Tuesday regarding the religious activities set for this year’s celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

According to Nazareno 2023 adviser Alex Irasga, more than a million Filipino devotees are expected to gather at the Quirino Grandstand and the Quiapo Church during the three-day celebration of the feast.

Religious activities for the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene are scheduled from January 7 to 9, he said.

On the said dates, devotees are still required to observe minimum public health standards along with the frequent wearing of face masks and hand sanitizing during the activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections among the devotees.

People who are sick are strongly discouraged from participating in the activities, people with a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius and blood pressure higher than 130/80, as well as people with a sore throat, coughs, colds, and loose bowel movements. 

The church urged attendees to bring an official identification card with them in case of an emergency.

The following are among the dos and don’ts for the celebration:

DOs

Quiapo Church has allowed the public to bring the following during the celebration:

• Water canister, sandwiches, and other snacks
• Cellphones, registered VHF radio
• Single-hand-carried images that are two feet and below, rosaries, and other small religious relics.
• Transparent raincoat/poncho
• Shoes and slippers
• Small cameras
• Wheelchair (for PWD devotees)
• Single-seat, light portable chair
• Small flashlight
• Portable/small candles and matchboxes
• Waist bag (subject to inspection)
• Clear plastic garbage bag

DON’Ts

The following are not allowed to be brought into any of the areas dedicated to the celebration:

• Medium-size to life-size Nazareno images
• Istandarte/banners
• Carriage or andas
• Firearms and deadly weapons
• Pyrotechnic devices
• Drone camera
• Professional camera and video recorder
• Selfie Sticks
• Large Bags
• Blankets, hampers, storage boxes
• Portable appliances
• LPG and stoves
• Tents, tables, and other picnic items
• Umbrella
• Alcoholic beverages
• Smoking vaping
• Laser pointers
• Large chains, spikes, and other big metal objects
• Scooters, skateboards, skates
• Vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles (unless you are authorized)
• Heavy metals
• Plastic and glass bottles
• Food sticks
• Pets
• Black plastics
• Jackets

During the celebration, only authorized individuals are permitted to have emergency vehicles, a sound system, bullhorn, UHF/VHF radio, satellite phones, tents, LED billboards, it said.

Along the route of the walk of faith procession, about 3,000 law enforcement officers from the Manila Police District and 2,000 law enforcement officers from the National Capital Region Police Office would be stationed at various checkpoints. 

Even though there are currently no threats of terrorist acts in relation to the celebration, MPD Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said that protective measures would still be imposed around the procession route.

Officials have suspended the traditional “pahalik” to avoid the spread of bodily fluids during the activity, according to Quiapo Officials. 

For this year, the traditional “pahalik” will now be called “pagpupugay,” where devotees are only allowed to touch and wipe the image of Black Nazarene. 

Pagpupugay will run from January 7 to 10, Quiapo officials said.

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Banner Photo Credit: Quiapo Church