The traditional “Pahalik,” or the act of kissing or paying reverence to the image of the Jesus Nazareno, will begin today, Wednesday evening, January 7, at the Quirino Grandstand.

According to the Quiapo church, the activity will start at 7:00 p.m., following a Holy Mass to be celebrated for volunteers who will be serving during the upcoming feast of the Jesus Nazarene at 6:00 p.m.

As early as Wednesday morning, several devotees were already seen lining up along South Drive in anticipation of the pahalik.

Prior to the start of the activity, a Mass for church volunteers and staff will be held at 6:00 p.m.

The pahalik is a long-standing religious tradition in which devotees express their faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene.

However, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the practice was prohibited for health and safety reasons. It was replaced with “pagpupugay,” a modified form of veneration where devotees were only allowed to view the image.

In 2023, devotees were permitted to touch the image using a towel or handkerchief, as part of continued health protocols.

Meanwhile, the youth group Hijos Del Nazareno Bukluran – Kabataan shared photos on social media showing the image of Señor Jesus Nazareno prepared at the Quirino Grandstand, signaling readiness for Nazareno 2026.