NAZARENO 2026: ‘PAHALIK’ BEGINS WEDNESDAY EVENING JAN. 7

The traditional “Pahalik”, where devotees touch and kiss the image of Jesus Nazareno, will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, preceded by a 6 p.m. Mass for volunteers and staff. The religious ritual fully resumed after being replaced by “Pagpupugay” during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health restrictions, allowing devotees to once again physically venerate the image. The Manila Police District announced temporary road closures along Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, and South Drive starting at 7 p.m., with partial access maintained to nearby hotels. Additional closures will take place from 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, to accommodate the Traslacion procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on Friday. Last year’s feast drew 8.12 million devotees, highlighting the event’s massive religious and cultural significance.