FIESTA IN QUIAPO 2016: Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016 (Schedule of Activities, Safety Tips and Reminders and Procession Route)

The Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016 also known as "Pista ng Itim na Nazareno ng Quiapo" is held annually every January 9 in City of Manila. It is considered as one of the most attended religious gatherings in the catholic church. Every year, millions of devotees and pilgrims join the procession of the Black Nazarene to commemorate the "Traslacion" or the transfer of the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church in Manila.

As an act of penance and thanksgiving for all the blessings they received, an estimated 9-10 million pilgrims and devotees attend the annual procession of the Black Nazarene. Certainly, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the most-attended fiestas in Metro Manila and in the Philippines.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016 Schedule of Events

January 7, 2016 (Quiapo Church)

• 3:00 PM - Procession of all replicas of the Black Nazarene

January 8, 2016 (Quirino Grandstand)

• 1:00 PM - Start of Pahalik
• 5:00 PM - Vespers
• 5:30 - 11:30 PM - Vigil Program
• 12:00 MN - Holy Eurcharistic Mass

Overnight Vigil - from sundown to sunrise

January 9, 2016

• 1:00 AM - 6:00 AM - Continuation of the Vigil Program at the Quirino Grandstand
• 6:00 AM - Liturgy for Procession at the Quirino Grandstand followed by the procession (Traslacion) of the Black Nazarene to Quiapo Church

Mark you calendar and save the dates!

Useful Safety Tips and Reminders

I was able to witness the Feast of the Black Nazarene Procession in 2013 where I experienced a multitude of devotees and pilgrims joining the procession. Here are some of the safety tips and reminders that will help you plan if you wish to attend the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, 2016.

You may read my coverage on the Feast of the Black Nazarene's procession in 2013, click HERE.

• Check and study the procession route. Be early at the procession route to get a good spot.
• Always bring an Identification Card with contact information of any of your family member in case of emergency.
• Wear comfortable clothing and footwear (preferably shoes). Do not wear any jewelries, or bring expensive electronic devices or any valuables. Just bring what you need.
• Bring something to eat (crackers, sandwich) and bottled water. Although there are food stalls along the procession route, you just have to make sure that your food is clean. Drink a lot of fluid to prevent dehydration.
• With too many people around, it is best not to bring your wallet. Just bring enough cash and secure it in your pocket.
• If you're coming in groups, assign a designated meeting place and time in case someone gets lost. Cellphone signal along the procession is sometimes turned off by the telecoms for security purposes.
• Maintain appropriate distance to other people to avoid unnecessary injuries in case of stampede. Plan a safe exit path from the huge crowd.
• Make sure that you are physically prepared. Always be alert and patient.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016 Procession Route

The image of the Black Nazarene is borne in a carriage pulled by the devotees in a procession (Traslacion) which commences from Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), passes through the streets of Manila and finally ends in Quiapo Church. The whole procession usually lasts for about 12-15 hours.

The route changes every year. As of this writing, no official route has been released by the organizers. This post shall be updated when the official procession route of the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016 comes out.

UPDATE:

From Qurino Grandstand, the Black Nazarene will pass by Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos Street. It will turn left to Taft Avenue through Jones Bridge before turning right to Dasmariñas Street. The Traslacion will then go right to Plaza Sta. Cruz St. before turning left at Carlos Palanca St. through Quezon Bridge before going to Quezon Boulevard and Arlegui Street.

The procession of the Black Nazarene will then continue to Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Castillejos, and Farnecio streets before going back to Arlegui Street and head towards Nepomuceno, Aguila, and Carcer streets.

It well then go to Hidalgo through Plaza Del Carmen and Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat. The Black Nazarene will then proceed to Guzman, Hidalgo, and Barbosa streets before going to Globo de Oro through Quezon Bridge. The image will pass by Palanca Street and Villalobos through Plaza Miranda to get to Quiapo Church.

Where to Stay in Quiapo during the Feast of the Black Nazarene 2016?

As the Philippines' capital city, Manila has many hotels, hostels and inns to choose from. Use the link below to search for accommodations near Quiapo Manila or along the procession route.

[ Click here to search for hotels in Manila ]

"Viva Señor Jesus Nazareno!"