MANILA, Philippines – The 2026 edition of the Traslacion, the annual procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno through the streets of Manila, is now the longest one yet.

The venerated statue returned to the Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno at 10:50 am on Saturday, January 10, 30 hours and 50 minutes after leaving the Quirino Grandstand at 4 am on Friday, January 9.

The Nazareno Operations Center said 9.64 million people joined the celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno, including those who participated in the Traslacion as well as devotees at the Quirino Grandstand and the Quiapo Church.

In 2025, over 8 million joined, and the Traslacion ended after nearly 21 hours. The previous record for the longest Traslacion was 22 hours, in 2012, 2017, and 2018.

In a midday press conference on Friday, Quiapo Church technical adviser Alex Irasga noted that devotees were still trying to climb the carriage or andas bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno, which is against the rules. This stalled the procession.

“Unfortunately, mas marami ho ang sumasalubong sa harapan ng andas at sumasampa. Kaya kung napapansin ho ninyo ‘yung ating andas, medyo nakatungo ho ito. Hindi ito tumatakbo ng diretso…dahil sa bigat ho ng mga sumasampa sa ibabaw ng andas, sa harapan po,” Irasga had said.

(Unfortunately, more devotees were blocking the front of the carriage and trying to climb it. So if you notice, our carriage is already tilted toward the front. It isn’t running smoothly because of the weight of the people climbing aboard, in front.)

Devotees determined to finish

The “Dungaw,” or the meeting of the image of Jesus Nazareno with the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Plaza del Carmen, only took place around 24 hours after the Traslacion started.

During the “Dungaw,” it was announced past 4 am that the Nazareno image would temporarily stay at the San Sebastian Church, located at the plaza, in effect cutting short the procession due to health and safety concerns.

But at around 5 am, the Traslacion still proceeded as devotees were determined to continue onwards to the Quiapo Church.

Quiapo Church rector and parish priest Father Ramon Jade Licuanan later explained in a briefing early Saturday morning that the Department of Health had informed them that deployed medical personnel were already experiencing fatigue. This was taken into account in the decision to have the Nazareno image remain for a while at the San Sebastian Church.

But as the massive crowd pushed the andas forward, the procession was allowed to go on.

Two fatalities linked to the Traslacion have been recorded, and some 1,700 medical cases were attended to during the procession. Organizers said further details on the casualties will be provided during their final press conference, which is set for Saturday afternoon. – Rappler.com