MANILA: The 2024 Feast of the Black Nazarene traslacion in Manila will replicate the route of the 2020 grand procession, organizers confirmed this Saturday. This decision follows a detailed walkthrough conducted in the morning to prepare for the January 9 traslacion, which will commence at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and conclude at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, located in Quiapo Church on Quezon Boulevard.
According to Philippines News Agency, "Ang ruta po ay katulad ng nakaraang year 2020 (the route will be the same as that of year 2020)." The walkthrough, lasting over two and a half hours, was essential to ensure the safety of the thousands of expected devotees. The traslacion route will begin from the Quirino Grandstand, then turn left onto Katigbak Street, traverse Padre Burgos Street, Finance Road, and continue along Palanca, Arlegui, Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Castillejos, Farnecio, Nepomuceno, Concepcion Aguila, Carcer, Hidalgo, Bilibid Viejo, Gil Puyat, and J.P. De Guzman Streets. The procession will pass under the Quezon Bridge and proceed along Villalobos Street before reaching Plaza Miranda, situated right outside the church.
The 2024 traslacion marks a significant return to its traditional format, following its suspension from 2021 to 2023 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In contrast, this year's 'Walk of Faith' event, held without the traslacion, drew approximately 1.2 million devotees over two days. The last procession in 2020 witnessed around three million participants on a shorter route that lasted 16 hours. In comparison, the 2018 and 2019 traslacion events each attracted an average of four million people and lasted nearly 24 hours.