Manila, Jan. 9 -- The Traslacion, or the grand procession of the image of the Jesus Nazareno, started an hour earlier than usual.

The andas (carriage), flocked by hundreds of Hijos del Nazareno, departed the right side of the Quirino Grandstand stage in Luneta at 4 a.m. Friday, on its way back to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, or Quiapo Church in Quezon Boulevard.

Traditionally, the Traslacion starts at 5 a.m. right after the dawn prayer.

As of 9:27 a.m., the procession is at Ayala Boulevard corner Romualdez, according to the Quaipo Church Command Post.

The crowd estimate stands at 439,900 at the Quirino Grandstand, Ayala Boulevard, and Quiapo as of 8 a.m.

Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano sai...