MANILA – As Filipinos commemorate the annual Feast of Jesus Nazareno on Thursday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the public to draw strength from unity and compassion, overcoming challenges with faith and grace.
In his message for the event, Marcos emphasized that the Feast of Jesus Nazareno highlights the strength that fosters harmony in the faith of the Filipino people. The life-sized image of Jesus Christ carrying the cross has long been a symbol of devotion and strength for Filipino Catholics for over 400 years.
The Feast, one of the largest religious gatherings globally, witnesses millions of devotees participating in the Traslacion (procession), many walking barefoot through the streets of Manila in an expression of unwavering faith.
Reflecting on the image’s significance, Marcos noted that the act of carrying Jesus Nazareno and His cross serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices made by Jesus Christ.
He described it as a testament to God’s compassion, who walks with the faithful and hears their prayers, especially during times of need.
The President encouraged Filipinos to embody compassion by reaching out to those in need.
He also urged the faithful to focus not only on their spiritual growth but to serve their communities, mirroring the example set by the Nazarene.
“This massive gathering of Filipinos is a testament to our people’s solidarity and camaraderie,” Marcos said. He called on devotees to face challenges with faith and grace, while actively helping others.
Marcos expressed his hope that every devotee, whether present or in spirit, would deepen their bond with the Almighty and embrace a higher purpose in serving others.
He is confident that Filipinos will follow the Nazarene’s example in making a positive impact on their communities, one good deed at a time.
The procession began around 4:40 a.m., with the andas (carriage) of Jesus Nazareno making its way through the crowd toward Quiapo Church, expected to continue for hours.
PRC PROVIDES MEDICAL AID TO DEVOTEES
As of 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reported that 119 devotees sought medical attention during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.
Many of those seeking help experienced difficulty breathing, chest pain, hyperventilation, headaches, dizziness, or elevated blood pressure.
The PRC provided on-site care, transporting 10 individuals to emergency field hospitals, with two being transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Additional medical support was offered to other devotees, including vital sign checks.