This Week in Metro Manila (January 8 to 14, 2018) While others are just starting to adjust to the new year, millions of devotees are preparing for the festivities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, which ends with the anticipated Traslaciรณn (solemn transfer). Devotees who will join the Traslaciรณn can expect clear weather within the day but must bring some rain gear just in case.
Feast of the Black Nazarene
The Black Nazarene statue depicts Jesus wearing a crown made of thorns while bearing a cross. (Image: Angie de Silva) The streets of Quiapo will be filled with devotees of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno for the Feast of the Black Nazarene. It is one of the biggest and the most anticipated religious events in
the country and about 19 million devotees are expected to attend this year. The festivities have already started last December 31, 2017 with a Thanksgiving mass and a novena mass. Novena masses will be held until January 8 every 6:00 PM. January 9 is declared a holiday in Manila in commemoration of the feast.
Parade Route and Traffic Advisory
Commuters can avoid the entire route of the Traslación. (Image: Quiapo Church - Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene Facebook Page) While the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has not released the official list of road closures for the Traslación, commuters residing or planning to travel along the Quiapo area are advised to be aware of the route for the procession. The route is as follows:
Quirino Grandstand (Rizal Park) left to Katigbak Drive through Padre Burgos Street Left to Taft Avenue through Jones Bridge
Right to Dasmariñas Street Right to Plaza Sta. Cruz Street then left to C. Palanca Street under Quezon Bridge Left to Quezon Boulevard then right to Arlegui Street Right to Fraternal Street Right to Vergara Street then left to Duque de Alba Street Left to Castillejos Street, left to Farmecio Street Right to Arlegui Street, left to Nepomuceno Street then left to Concepcion Aguila Street Right to Carcer Street; right to Hidalgo through Plaza Del Carmen Left to Bilibid Viejo through G. Puyat then left to Z.P. De Guzman Street Right to Hidalgo Street; left to A. Bautista Right to Globo de Oro under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca Street Right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda During last year’s Traslación, several roads were closed to commuters from 1:00PM onwards such as the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo), from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Plaza Miranda, eastbound lane of CM Recto Avenue from Rizal Avenue to SH Loyola Street, and westbound lane of España Boulevard from P. Campa to Lerma Street. Commuters are advised to look out for similar closures and re-routings this year.
Sisig
Sisig’s main ingredients are different parts of a pig’s face such as the ears and the snout. (Image: Heneral Manok Facebook Page) Sisig (diced sizzling pork dish) is one of the most famous Filipino dishes. Celebrity chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain even called the dish the ‘next big trend’ in food. Sisig is usually served in a hot coal plate and topped with either mayonnaise or egg. It can be found almost everywhere, especially in tapsilogans (eateries that sell sizzling meals and Filipino breakfast combinations). Those who will participate in the activities during the feast can try look for sisig in eateries nearby for a filling meal.
Hotel Booking Status
Websites such as Traveloka and Trivago can help in checking hotel booking status. Devotees who are planning to stay in hotels after or before the festivities can still book hotels near the Quiapo area. The Sunstar Hotel, 8 Hostel, Hotel Sogo, and Hotel 99 still have rooms available in the week of January 8. These establishments are also just walking distance from Quiapo Church. Check out our list of hotels in Manila or browse the Best Small & Local Hotels category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.
San Sebastian Church
The church’s exteriors are also noticeable because of their blueish color. (Image: San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Inc. Facebook Page) Also just within the Quiapo area is San Sebastian Church. The church, which was built in 1891, is known for its neo-gothic style architecture. There was even a rumor that Gustave Eiffel, the architect who designed the Eiffel tower and the Statue of Liberty, helped in designing and building the church. The church gained its minor basilica status in 1890 through Pope Leo XIII and it was consecrated by Bernardino Nozaleda y Villa OP, the 25th Archbishop of Manila. In 1973, it was declared as a National Historical Landmark by President Ferdinand Marcos. Later on, the church was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2011.
Hopia
Filipino’s taste for hopia was influenced by the Chinese. (Image: Edna Acierto) Quiapo has many bakeries that sell hopia (mooncakes) in various assorted flavors such as mango, ube (purple yam jam), and monggo (mung beans). After participating in the Black Nazarene festivities, devotees can take a trip along the streets of Quiapo to take home a plastic or a box of hopia. The price can vary depending on the bakeshop or the flavor.
The TraslaciĂłn
Last year’s Traslación lasted 22 hours. (Image: Joan Rosario Bacuto) The main event of the feast of the Black Nazarene is the Traslación, which is the culmination of the week-long festivity and celebrates of the transfer of the Black Nazarene to Quiapo from Intramuros. At 12:00AM, there would be a Eucharistic Celebration at the Quirino Grandstand. Father Hernando Coronel will lead the mass while Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will give the homily. After the 5:00 AM morning prayers, the Traslación will start from Luneta to Quiapo Church. Those who will participate in the procession should not wear backpacks, caps, and jackets as these are prohibited by the Philippine National Police in prevention of possible terror attacks. Pregnant women, children, persons with disabilities (PWD), people with pre-existing health conditions, and people under the influence of alcohol are discouraged from participating as well. Several items such as cameras, stoves, unauthorized drones, and black plastic bags are also prohibited within the area during the Traslación. Devotees join the Traslación annually hoping for miracles or expressing gratitude for them.
Weather
The lowest temperature for the week is 29° while the highest is 30° The skies would be clear and sunny in time for the Traslación on the 9th. However, there might be a chance of light showers later on the same day so devotees are advised to bring rain coats, umbrellas, and other rain protective gear just in case it could turn into a wet procession. The sun will be visible during the earlier part of the week but the latter part will be rainy, particularly during the weekend.
Excise Tax to Take Effect this January
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the republic act 10963 or the TRAIN law last December 19. With the new excise tax rates taking effect starting last January 1 under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), the Department of Energy (DOE) clarified that the prices of old petroleum products will not be affected as the new pricing will only take effect on imported oil. DOE also said that they will monitor oil companies and the international market to evaluate the impact they might make on the prices of local petroleum products. Based on DOE’s observation of previous weeks’ international oil trading, the domestic price of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene might be affected in the following ways: Gasoline prices can increase by around PhP0.15 per liter. Diesel prices can increase PhP0.60 per liter. Kerosene prices can increase PhP0.55 per liter. Note that the price adjustments for petroleum products happen during Tuesdays of every week.