Decode

DECODE: Dos and Don’ts on Nazareno 2023

by Jericho Zafra

PUBLISHED ON January 4, 2023

Recently updated on February 8, 2023 12:58 am

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.