By Brian Campued
“Banal. Maayos. Ligtas.”
This has been and will remain the long-standing mission of the Quiapo Church: to celebrate the image of Jesus Nazareno every year—with the festivities already in place for Nazareno 2026.
In a press conference on Monday, the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno bared its schedule of activities for Nazareno 2026—which will run from Dec. 31, 2025 to Jan. 9, 2026, or the Traslacion.
Quiapo Church spokesperson Rev. Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS the theme for Nazareno 2026 will be: “Dapat siyang tumaas at ako nama’y bumaba,” which was derived from the Book of John 3:30.
“Ang ibig sabihin nito, kagaya ng mga nagdaang taong panawagan namin, ang tunay na sentro at bida ng selebrasyon ay si Hesus Nazareno at hindi ang mga deboto,” he said.
The Nazareno 2026 activities include:
- Thanksgiving procession – midnight of Dec. 31, 2025
- Barangay visitations or masses – Jan. 2–6, 2026
- Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno Replica and Estandarte Blessing – Jan. 3, 2026
- Final press conference and Pabihis sa Poong Jesus Nazareno – Jan. 7, 2026
- Masses – Jan. 8 to 9, 2026
- Pahalik – Jan. 7, 2026
- Panalangin sa Takipsilim – Jan. 8, 2026
- Misa Mayor – Jan. 9, 2026
The festivities will culminate with Traslacion or the procession of the image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand back to its shrine in Quiapo Church. Next year’s 5.8-kilometer route will be:
- From Quirino Grandstand
- Left to Katigbak Drive
- Right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road
- Straight to Ayala Boulevard
- Turn left to Palanca Street
- Right to Quezon Boulevard
- Right to Arlegui Street
- Right to Fraternal Street
- Right to Vergara Street
- Left to Duque de Alba Street
- Left to Castillejos Street
- Left to Farnecio Street
- Right to Arlegui Street
- Left to Nepomuceno Street
- Left to Concepcion Aguila Street
- Right to Carcer Street
- Right to Hidalgo Street through Plaza del Carmen (for the traditional “Dungaw”)
- Left to Bilibid Viejo through Gil Puyat
- Left to J.P. de Guzman Street
- Right to Hidalgo Street
- Left Quezon Boulevard
- Right to Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge
- Right to Villalobos Street through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church
The Ándas (carriage) for Traslacion 2026 will now use four wheels and a steering wheel for improved balance and mobility. It will also include metal and glass enclosures similar to the Pope mobile, along with lighting, a sound system, CCTV, and ventilation to manage moisture.
Meanwhile, Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso said ambulant vendors will not be allowed within the vicinity of Quiapo Church from Jan. 7 to 9 as millions of devotees are expected to throng the area.
Traslacion 2025 lasted for nearly 21 hours, with over 8 million devotees joining the traslacion, according to the Nazareno Operations Center.
-jpv
