MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- More than a million devotees of the Black Nazarene flocked to downtown Quiapo district in Manila on Monday to join the yearly procession to honor a life-size statue known as Black Nazarene.
Barefoot pilgrims wearing maroon shirts clambered over one another to touch the wooden statue during its slow procession though the city.
Many believed the life-size statue of Jesus Christ has miraculous powers to heal the sick and wash away sins. Devotees joined the procession to touch the century-old statue in expectation of their wishes coming true.
The statue was paraded around the area above a carriage and pilgrims jolted violently to help pull the platform or get near it. Pilgrims waved white handkerchiefs and towels as the crowd erupts into loud cheers.
Missionaries brought the statue, crowned with thorns and bearing a cross, to the Philippines in the 17th century. The Black Nazarene was brought to Manila in 1606 by Augustinian Recollect missionaries from aboard.
The ship reportedly caught fire, in which the cross survived and was blackened.
Every year, millions of devotees from all walks of life joined the procession as a way of strengthening their faith or fulfilling their vow to the Lord.
The procession that starts at dawn usually takes more than 20 hours to finish.
Police went on full alert for the annual procession this year. At least 5,000 policemen were deployed around the area to secure the procession.
First aid tents have been set up for any pilgrims who might be injured.
More than 80 percent of the Philippines' more than 100 million population are Roman Catholic.
