The celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene will be different this time.  Instead of starting the traditional procession from inside the Quiapo Church, it will now commence from the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.  About 1,500 policemen will be deployed to provide security and order to the devotees who will flock the venue and join the procession.  The change aims to avoid the yearly problem of taking out the Black Nazarene out of Quiapo church due to the bulk of devotees waiting just outside of the church.

The feast of the Black Nazarene is considered one of the most awaited religious events in the Philippines for the members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Thousands of devotees from all walks of life flock to Quiapo in Manila, whose patron saint is the Black Nazarene, to take part in the traditional procession to show their faith and to  fulfill their “panata” (vow).  The Black Nazarene is a life size image of the Jesus Christ carrying a cross.
It was called the Black Nazarene because when the statue was brought to Manila by a Spanish priest in 1607, the ship caught fire, and burned the image.

The old celebration starts when the entrance of the Quiapo Church opens and the image of the Black Nazarene is within sight. Devotees then will start yelling “Viva Señor” while waving white towel high in the air.