WITH THE THEME, “Dapat siyang tumaas, at ako nama’y bumaba” (John 3:30), University Vice President for Administration Rev. Fr. John Paul II Plana, O.S.B., called on devotees during the vigil Mass on the night of January 8, which commenced the annual Traslacion procession of 2026 on January 9.
Centering his homily on the theme, Rev. Fr. Plana reminded devotees that faith in Jesus Nazareno demands participation in His mission, not merely remembrance of His birth.
“Tinatawag tayo na huwag manatili kay Jesus sa sabsaban, kundi sabayan siya sa Kanyang misyon,” Rev. Fr. Plana said, noting that while Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth, devotion calls believers to walk with Him toward redemption.
He emphasized that Jesus’ coming into the world was an act of divine humility, explaining that Christ taught humanity how to live rightly and draw closer to God. “Bumaba siya mula sa kalangitan, naging tao at namuhay bilang tao.“
Rev. Fr. Plana pointed to St. John the Baptist, patron of Quiapo Church, as the model devotee who understood his place in God’s plan.
He said the Baptist’s lifelong call was to give way for Christ to be lifted above all, urging devotees to imitate this humility by introducing Jesus Nazareno to others and allowing Him to work in their lives.
Drawing from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Rev. Fr. Plana reflected on kenosis, or self-emptying, describing it as God’s act of lowering Himself so humanity may be lifted, saying, “Jesus made Himself nothing so that we could be something.”
Concluding his homily, Rev. Fr. Plana urged devotees to live by the feast’s theme, stressing that genuine devotion is expressed through humility and self-giving.
He reminded the faithful that placing Jesus Nazareno above all leads to guidance, compassion, and a life shaped by faith, as he ended with a prayer for the safety of all devotees and thanksgiving for the enduring graces received from the Poong Jesus Nazareno.
The 11:00 p.m. vigil Mass led by Rev. Fr. Plana at the Quiapo Church was part of the continuing Eucharistic celebration until the headway of the Poong Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand, following the traditional 5.8-kilometer route going back to the Quiapo Church.
An estimated over nine million devotees participated in the procession as an act of panata. The event set record-breaking marks for both the largest crowd turnout and the longest running time, lasting nearly 31 hours—from 4:00 a.m. on January 9 until 10:50 a.m. on January 10—surpassing the usual duration of no more than 22 hours in previous years.
An all-time high that led the Quiapo Church administration to decide to temporarily shelter the Poong Nazareno at the San Sebastian Church amidst the execution of the traditional Dunga when the procession hit the 24th-hour mark—a decision that was resisted by the devotees as they steered the salya back to the Quiapo Church.
(with Bianca Ashley Bitanga)