Tags: Public Holidays and Celebration
By Alexander Villafania and Anna Valmero
MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA – The Feast of the Black Nazarene is a major historic and religious event in the Philippines. Every year for one day, millions of devotees converge in Manila.
But this annual religious procession tends to draw some problems such as overcrowding and theft, not to mention the huge left over trash.
Here are some tips to remain secure from the hassles of being among the multitude of devotees and to also contribute in keeping this sacred event safe for everyone.
Come early. Traffic snarls are to be expected during this event would be extremely slow, particularly Roxas Boulevard and Quezon Boulevard, leading to Quiapo. The procession starts in Quirino Grandstand and ends at Quiapo Church.
Have early breakfast or bring food. Having an early breakfast will give you enough energy to start off the day. Also consider bringing some food that will keep you energized if you intend to stay long. Most importantly, bring water as you could get dehydrated under the heat or crowing.
Bring umbrellas. Rain or shine, always bring an umbrella. PAGASA announced that the day of the Feast of the Black Nazarene could be rainy this year so having an umbrella should keep you dry.
Dress appropriately and stay hydrated. Expect to take long walks during the procession so dress up for the occasion with a pair of jeans, cotton shirt and rubber shoes. Bring a change of clothing after the event. Keep a water bottle handy but be conscious about drinking too much because restrooms are only available in Luneta and some restaurants in Quiapo, apart from a handful of portable toilets along the way.
Go in groups. For those who do not plan to be part of the chaotic procession and prefer to stay in the sideline, always go in groups. This should keep everyone safe whenever there is a flood of people going towards the Black Nazarene’s carriage who don’t seem to care if they’ve trampled on someone.
Bring smaller bags and keep them secure. Shoulder bags should work best during this event. You could keep the bag in front of you when in a crowd to keep it from being snagged.
Be vigilant and don’t show off your items. Sadly, there are unscrupulous people who take advantage of the crowd by picking pockets or bags. Most of these thieves target devotees who don’t seem to be aware of their surroundings or show off their gadgets such as camera phones and digital cameras. If you intend to use your device, stay away from huge crowds.
Stay away from the middle of the crowd. Do not join the mob to avoid physical stress assault or heat exhaustion. If it is possible, attend the vigil mass instead of the mass after the procession; the latter gets more crowded as devotees flock to the church
Keep it clean. As with all huge events, trash is always a problem. Be considerate and keep your trash in plastic bags or look for trash bins. As the saying goes, “cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
Related stories:
What drives devotees to join the Black Nazarene procession
Black Nazarene procession still draws thousands of Filipino devotees
The sights and sounds of mystical Quiapo
A chaotic sea of humanity for the Black Nazarene
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