1.6 million bare feet through Manila: Philippine Catholics celebrate Haka mega procession in parliament: this young politician from New Zealand goes viral

During one of the largest religious festivals in the world, more than 1.6 million Christians marched barefoot through the capital Manila in the Philippines. Since early Tuesday morning (local time), believers have been venerating a life-size statue of Jesus, the so-called ‘Black Nazarene’., which was driven through the city in a six-kilometre-long procession. The mega event has been canceled for the past three years due to the corona pandemic.

Those responsible expected that the number of participants in the hours-long procession could rise to more than two million – the same number as before the pandemic. The procession will likely be accompanied by a huge crowd through the city to the Quiapo Church lasts a total of 18 hours, the organizers said. Many Filipinos believe that the statue performs miracles. 5,600 police officers had to guarantee the safety of believers.

For the first time, the figure of Christ was wheeled around Manila in a glass container to discourage participants from climbing onto the float and touching it with their hands or with towels and tissues. Many Filipinos believe that the cloths have powers and can heal the sick. Nevertheless, some attempted to at least touch the container that contained the shrine, or the cross that partially protruded from it. Others held on to the rope that pulled the cart through the crowd.

Fainting and bruising

The island state is Apart from tiny East Timor, it is the only country in Asia where Catholics are in the majority. More than 80 percent are Catholic.

According to authorities, more than 300 patients had to be treated by afternoon, suffering from fainting, bruising and breathing difficulties. The government declared a public holiday in Manila on Tuesday. The sale of alcohol was banned.

The wooden Jesus figure is said to have been brought from Mexico to Manila by missionaries in 1606 and survived a ship fire. Afterwards she was given the name Black Nazarene. The procession, which always takes place on January 9, commemorates how the figure was brought to the church in the Quiapo district in the 18th century. (rbu/sda/dpa)