The Quiapo Church unveiled on Thursday, January 4, the new design of the andas or carriage that will carry the Black Nazarene's image during the Traslacion or the annual grand procession.
Based on the new design presented during a joint press briefing, the Black Nazarene will be enclosed in a thick glass box and placed in a rectangle-shaped carriage.
The carriage will be furnished with mechanics and floodlighting.
Quiapo Church Feast of the Black Nazarene adviser Alex Irasga said that the glass box was inspired by Our Lady of Peñafrancia's carriage and the Pope's mobile.
"Ito ay parang pinagsamang yung nakagisnan na andas na ginagamit ng Peñafrancia at Pope mobile. Ito ay may metal at glass closure katulad ng Pope mobile para walang makadikit dito," he explained.
Irasga said the new andas also has a sound system and closed-circuit television or CCTV in order for authorities to monitor the procession's security.
Members of Hijos Del Nazareno will be on the ground, manning the carriage to ensure that no devotee will climb up to the sacred image.
"Bagama't ang tungkulin nila [Hijos] ay matiyak na walang makakalapit sa ating andas. May pintuan silang dadaanan sa gilid, kaya miski sila ay hindi sasampa sa andas," the Quiapo Church advisor said.
Irasga said the new protocol would be imposed to thwart injuries and fatalities, emphasizing that the feast day is a celebration and not a moment of grief.
"Dalangin namin at pagsusumikapan na wala sana tayong bibilangin na pumanaw, nasaktan, nahimatay, o ano mang aberya dahil sa pagdiriwang sa pagkakataong ito. Sana ang bibilangin natin, ng pamilyang Pilipino ay kung ilan sa kanila ang maayos nakakita sa ating Senior, sa darating na Translacion," he underscored.
The Quiapo Church adviser assured that the rope tied to the andas cannot be cut by devotees.
"Yung lubid ay parehas ang haba at kapal sa mga nakaraan. Kahit papaano, yung lubid na gagamitin natin ay umaabot naman, buo pa rin naman hanggang makarating sa simbahan. Bagama't tama kayo na may konting sugat, umaabot naman. Sapat ang lubid natin. Sinubukan naman naming ikabit sa bagong andas," Irasga said.
