Crowds throng Manila streets as Jesus statue paraded

Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims filled the streets of Manila on Thursday in search of miracles, hoping to touch or glimpse a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ known as the Black Nazarene. The annual procession, one of the most fervent religious events in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, began before dawn with an open-air mass and was expected to draw over two million participants.

Devotees, barefoot and dressed in maroon to match the robe of the wooden statue, pushed through the crowd to grasp the rope pulling the icon’s float. Many believed touching the statue or the rope would bring healing and blessings. Among them was Dong Lapira, 54, who recounted praying for his mother’s recovery from a heart attack in a previous procession. This year, he prayed for his wife’s recovery from gallstones, saying, "The Nazarene is very sacred. It has granted many prayers."

Other worshippers threw towels toward those guarding the float, hoping they would be wiped on the statue and returned as blessed items. Alvin Olicia, 38, one of the guardians, expressed the spiritual significance of his role, saying, “I feel like I am connecting them to their faith and to the Nazarene.”

Despite authorities banning the climbing of the carriage for safety reasons, some devotees still risked injury to be near the icon. Ester Espiritu, 76, traveled 35 kilometers to attend the procession. A devotee for 40 years, she said, "Even if I'm struggling to come here because of my age... I feel happy and well whenever I see the Nazarene," as she prayed for healing from a shoulder injury.

The Black Nazarene, a life-sized wooden statue brought to the Philippines in the early 1600s during Spanish colonial rule, is believed to have turned black after surviving a fire on the ship that carried it. Its history and perceived miraculous powers have inspired deep devotion among Filipinos.

The six-kilometer procession route was secured by approximately 14,500 police officers, with mobile phone signals blocked to prevent potential bomb threats. Emergency response teams, including the Red Cross, were on standby, treating over 100 participants in the early hours for cuts, dizziness, and other minor injuries.

The event, while chaotic and physically demanding, remains a testament to the unwavering faith of millions of Filipinos who find hope and strength in the Nazarene’s symbolic presence.