Sunday, January 14, 2024
Climbing of Black Nazarene 'andas' not allowed for Traslacion 2024 - Quiapo Church
Devotees taking part in the 2024 Annual Grand Miracle Crusade will no longer be allowed to climb the andas or the wheeled carriage bearing the image of the Black Nazarene, according to the El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI.
Atty. Melquiades A. Robles, El Shaddai Spokesperson, made the remarks as the church issued an advisory for the return of the grand gathering on January 20 to 22, 2024.
“Una, bawal sumampa sa andas, ito ay upang manatili ang hinahangad nating tema: "Ibig po naming makita si Hesus" Juan 12:21,” Magdurulang told GMA News Online in a Viber message.
(First, devotees will no longer be allowed to climb the andas to allow people to see the image and in the spirit of our theme: “We wish to see Jesus” as said in John 12:21.)
“Pangalawa, pwede pa ring magbato ng bimpo o panyo upang maipunas. Pangatlo, tuloy ang paghila ng mga deboto sa lubid,” he said.
(Second, people will be allowed to throw towels or handkerchiefs so these can be wiped on the image. Third, devotees can pull on the ropes.)
Magdurulang reminded the devotees to remain calm and refrain from pushing each other during the grand procession.
“Pinapaalalahanan ang lahat ng deboto na maging mahinahon at huwag magtulakan upang ang layunin ng pagdiriwang ay hindi lamang makita si Poong Hesus Nazareno kundi maging Banal, Ligtas at Maayos ang pagdiriwang ng Nazareno 2024,” the church official said.
(We are reminding all devotees to remain calm and refrain from pushing one so that our celebration is not just seeing the image of our Lord Jesus of Nazareth but also having a holy, safe, and proper conduct of the Grand Miracle Crusade 2024.)
The Grand Miracle Crusade is an annual gathering of the Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai that draws millions of Filipino and foreign devotees from all over the country and the world.
It was not held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI earlier issued full reminders for devotees for the gathering next week.
The Philippine National Police earlier said around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the activities of the 2024 Santo Niño de Cebú feast which includes the traditional grand miracle crusade weekend and its crowd from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
Meanwhile, the church also started blessing the replicas of the Black Nazarene, according to Sandra Aguinaldo’s “24 Oras” report.
At least 700 vehicles and 7,000 replicas joined the first day of the blessing.—RF, GMA Integrated News
Grand Miracle Crusade 2024 will be a no fly zone; signal jamming mulled — PNP
By JOVILAND RITA, GMA Integrated News
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday a "no-fly zone" policy would be enforced while signal jamming may be imposed to ensure the security of next week's Grand Miracle Crusade for the feast of Santo Niño de Cebú in the City of Manila, which will be attended by an estimated two million devotees.
"It will be a no-fly zone," PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. told reporters Wednesday in an ambush interview.
Asked if the police will use a signal jammer for the Jan. 20 to 22 event, Acorda said it will depend on the decision of the leadership of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
"Kasama din sa contingencies. Depende sa decision ng [Regional Director] because the overall supervisor will be the RD NCRPO, but we will be supporting them kung ano man ang requirements," he said.
(That is part of the contingencies. It will depend on the decision of the Regional Director because the overall supervisor will be the RD NCRPO, but we will be supporting them whatever the requirements.)
Acorda made the statement after a recent meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, executives from concerned agencies, and Church officials.
According to the PNP chief, Bersamin was satisfied with the briefings in connection with Traslacion. The PNP earlier said that it had not monitored any credible and serious threats for the event.
Law enforcers will implement restrictions at controlled areas in front of Quiapo Church, and the streets surrounding the cathedral.
Prohibited items include backpacks, water bottles, transparent ones, umbrellas, and ball caps.
Physical distancing will be imposed during Masses to minimize the risk of communicable diseases.
Police deployment
Part of the celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú is the Grand Miracle Crusade, which involves the crowds of 40-year-old annual gathering from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
To secure the Feast activities, the PNP said some 15,000 police personnel will be deployed. During the Traslacion, over 5,600 personnel will be initially designated.
The annual Grand Miracle Crusade was not held over the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PCG support
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday it would deploy personnel in Metro Manila to support PNP security forces for the gawain.
The PCG will assign canine units at Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge, Ayala Bridge, Quezon Bridge and the Quiapo Church, while coastal patrols will assist security forces through floating assets at the Pasig River and Manila Bay.
Mass evacuation procedures via Pasig River and Manila Bay have also been prepared as contingency measures, while PCG medical teams will be on standby to provide necessary assistance.
"The Philippine Coast Guard is one with the Philippine National Police and religious organizers for the successful, safe, and peaceful conduct of El Shaddai gathering, a time-honored Roman Catholic tradition," PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said in a statement.
Also on Wednesday, the Quiapo Church released a list of do's-and-don't's for devotees ahead of the gawain. — with a report from Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI issues reminders for Grand Miracle Crusade 2024
El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International, Inc. on Wednesday issued reminders for devotees on what is allowed and prohibited during the conduct of the upcoming 40th Grand Miracle Crusade on January 20 to 22, 2024.
One of the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Santo Nino de Cebu is the three-day Grand Miracle Crusade Weekend, highlighting the youth vigil of the Pope and a closing mass of the international level World Youth Day celebration presided by the Pope.
The traditional Grand Miracle Crusade has not been held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the return of the traditional procession, Quiapo Church reminded participants to observe the following:
Don’ts
- Organizers prohibited devotees from climbing the andas or the carriage to prevent blocking the view of the Black Nazarene image.
- To avoid injuries, devotees are discouraged from pushing other participants in the procession.
- Quiapo Church also advised devotees not to bring many belongings or big bags. For easy inspection, they are advised to use transparent bags.
Do’s
- Children and those who have illnesses are advised to just stay on the side of the streets to ensure their safety.
- Before the start of the program, devotees should already have their meals so they would have enough strength to participate in the gathering.
- El Shaddai still allows devotees to throw their handkerchiefs and towels to rub them.
- Carrying of pingga or the lever as well as pulling the rope are also allowed but should be done with order and caution.
So far, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has not monitored any credible and serious threats for the event.
Police will implement some restrictions in controlled areas in front of Quiapo Church as well as the streets and roads surrounding the chapel.
Prohibited items are backpacks and water bottles except those transparent ones, as well as umbrellas and bull caps, among others.
Physical distancing will be imposed during Masses to minimize the risk of communicable diseases.
Around 2 million people are expected to participate in the weekend feast.
To secure the activities of the feast, the PNP said around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed. During the El Shaddai gathering, over 5,600 personnel will be initially deployed. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Marcos declares Jan. 21 a special non-working day in Manila for Grand Miracle Crusade 2024
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday declared January 9, 2024, a special non-working day in the City of Manila for this year's annual weekend gathering of Feast of Santo Nino de Cebu or annual Grand Miracle Crusade of the Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai.
The declaration will give Catholic devotees in Manila a "full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration," according to Proclamation No. 434 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on January 14.
The Grand Miracle Crusade of the Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai transports a replica of Holy Child's 458-year-old statue in Quiapo Church in more than three days of a gathering. It usually starts at the Quirino Grandstand.
Some 15,200 personnel from the Metro Manila police will be deployed to secure the El Shaddai gathering, which draws millions of Catholic faithful.
The Department of Health said it would place its hospitals in Metro Manila under code white alert starting January 16 in preparation for the huge religious event.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/04/24/jan-9-2024-a-non-working-day-in-manila-for-traslacion
Clearing ops held along Gawain route in Manila
Several days before the return of the Grand Miracle Crusade, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Manila local government joined forces Thursday in conducting clearing operations along the gathering crowd route in Quiapo.
The clearing operations team first targeted Carlos Palanca Street, where tuk-tuks and tricycles obstructed both sides of the road. The vehicles were loaded onto MMDA trucks for impounding, with a fee ranging from P1,500 to P2,000.
"Jomar", the owner of a tricycle that had been parked on the side of the road due to alleged mechanical issues, protested against the impounding.
“Hindi puwedeng arbor arbor na naman, nahuli na naman yung isa sa amin eh” Jomar told MMDA personnel.
Wilson Chan, Chief of Operation of the Manila Traffic Parking Bureau, pointed out that Carlos Palanca Street is part of the Mabuhay lanes and should not be used for parking vehicles.
“Ilang beses na po namin ino-operate ito, pinapakiusapan lagi natin sila, so ito na naman makikita mo andito na naman. Mas maganda ipakita natin sa kanila seryoso tayo," Chan said.
"Babalik-balikan natin ito. Kahapon ilang beses kami bumalik, 2 to 3 times pabalik-balik kami para lang ma-sure natin na wala po mga vehicles na naka-park," he said.
According to Victor Nuñez, director for traffic enforcement of the MMDA, they will clean all Traslacion routes to ensure that there will be no obstruction during the Black Nazarene procession.
“Marami kami tow trucks, lahat ito ihahatak at yung iba po na nakakuha ng permit papaalisin namin. Umiikot na rin po ang LGU ng Manila pati yung MTPB” Nuñez said.
The MMDA will no longer give warnings before conducting clearing operations.
“Alam naman ho natin na since last year pinaigting natin yung operasyon along sa Mabuhay lanes, hindi na kailangan ng notice,” Nuñez said.
Aside from illegally parked vehicles, the MMDA clearing operations team also removed and confiscated all obstructions on sidewalks and roads, such as vendors' belongings, tables, and chairs in eateries.
A man even got into a scuffle with MMDA personnel after they confiscated his metal clothesline that was blocking the sidewalk.
“Ginutter ko na, hindi naman nakakaabala. Sampayan ko yan eh, huwag naman basta-basta. Puwde naman magsalita sa tao,” the man complained.
The MMDA also demolished a makeshift structure on the sidewalk of Arlegui St. It was owned by Myrna Yunting, a street sweeper who had lived in the structure for almost 13 years.
“Kahala na yung chairman namin dito sa arlegui kung saan kami palilipatin, kung dito ba o dapat sa ba sa kalye. Bahala na ang gobyerno sa amin kung bibigyan kami ng tirahan,” Yunting said.
The MMDA said it would deploy 850 traffic enforcers for the El Shaddai gawain, including personnel from the road emergency group, public safety, and street sweepers.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/04/24/clearing-ops-held-along-traslacion-route-in-manila