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NAZARENO 2026 FIESTA PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: UNITY, DEVOTION, AND SAFETY PREPARATIONS

Nov. 23, 2025 09:26 PM

Manila, Philippines — November 17, 2025
Organizers of the Nazareno 2026 Fiesta gathered for a highly anticipated press conference to unveil early preparations for one of the nation’s largest religious events. Quiapo Church Spoke persons — Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS, Mr. Alex Irasga, Procession Committee Adviser, and Manila City Mayor and Hermano Mayor Isko Moreno—outlined the spiritual, logistical, and civic plans being mobilized for the monumental celebration scheduled for January 2026.

Fr. Robert Arellano, LRMS, opened the briefing with a call to deepen the spiritual meaning of the celebration. He emphasized the importance of understanding genuine devotion, reminding the public that the heart of the fiesta is faith in Christ, not merely physical tradition.“At ang aming layunin, lagi nating sinasabi, palalimin ang debosyon kay Jesus Nazareno, hindi sa rebulto. Pagsamba, hindi pagsampa. Ito yung malawakang panawagan namin taon-taon.” (And our goal, as we always say, is to deepen devotion to Jesus Nazareno, not to the image. Genuine worship and not idolatry to the physical representation. This is the call we make every year.)

Mr. Alex Irasga, Technical Adviser to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, presented notable updates for the 2026 celebration—most significantly, upgrades to the Andas.

The improvements include:

  • Transition from three wheels to four for better stability
  • Use of a steering wheel instead of a boat-like rudder
  • Addition of metal and glass enclosures similar to the pope mobile
  • Improvement of lighting, sound system, CCTV, and anti-fog ventilation

Members of the Hijos del Nazareno will continue to guide the Andas from underneath during the procession.

Irasga also confirmed that the Traslación will once again follow the traditional pre-pandemic route, passing through Luneta, Plaza del Carmen, Plaza Miranda, and seven bridges:

  • Ayala
  • Palanca
  • Arlegui
  • Carcer
  • Raon Extension
  • Guzman
  • Hidalgo

These changes aim to enhance safety while preserving the sacred traditions of the procession.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso reaffirmed the city’s full commitment to ensuring a safe and orderly Nazareno 2026 Fiesta. He emphasized strong coordination between the local government, the Manila Police District, medical teams, sanitation workers, and national agencies.

To accommodate the surge of devotees, the mayor announced:

  • A temporary ban on street vendors around Quiapo Church from January 7 to 9
  • Deployment of additional security personnel and force multipliers
  • Citywide preparedness measures based on the massive turnout of previous years

In 2025, an estimated eight million devotees participated in the feast. Both church leaders and the city government anticipate a similar or larger crowd for Nazareno 2026.

Looking Ahead: A Fiesta of Faith and Filipino Resilience

As the press conference concluded, organizers expressed optimism for the upcoming Nazareno 2026 Fiesta, expected to draw millions of devotees from across the Philippines and abroad. With strengthened collaboration among the Church, city officials, and the faithful, the 2026 celebration is set to be a powerful testament to Filipino devotion, unity, and perseverance.

 

 

– Marion Allen B. Albaladejo | Hijos del Nazareno – Central