(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
TACLOBAN CITY– Devotion took to the streets of Tacloban City on Thursday as hundreds of faithful marked Translacion 2026 with a motorized procession, turning ordinary roads into a shared space of prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving.
The activity followed a Pontifical Mass celebrated early morning on January 9 at St. Roch the Healer Parish in Barangay Manlurip, San Jose. From there, vehicles decorated with images of the Black Nazarene, streamers, and devotional symbols moved through major city routes, creating a solemn yet vibrant expression of faith.
Devotees, clad in yellow and maroon shirts and carrying religious icons, joined the procession as a practical alternative to the traditional barefoot walk associated with the annual devotion. Church organizers said the motorized procession made the observance more accessible, especially to elderly devotees, families with children, and those with health concerns, while also addressing safety and traffic considerations.
For many participants, joining the procession was deeply personal. Some offered prayers for healing and protection, others sought guidance and strength, while many expressed gratitude—echoing the enduring devotion of Filipino Catholics to the Black Nazarene.
Church officials said the orderly and prayerful observance in Tacloban reflected the strong devotion of Waray faithful, showing how the spirit of the Translacion continues to unite communities in faith and hope, even beyond Manila’s massive annual gathering.
The Translacion commemorates the transfer of the life-sized image of the Black Nazarene from Mexico to the Philippines in the early 17th century. Enshrined at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, the image has become a powerful symbol of faith, particularly among devotees who turn to it in times of hardship.
(TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
