Devotees gathered in Quiapo, Manila, and nearby areas on Thursday, 2 January, to have their replicas of the “Jesus Nazareno,” also known as the Black Nazarene, blessed under a footbridge near Quiapo Church. The blessing of these replicas and the estandarte is part of the lead-up to the Black Nazarene feast on 9 January. — Aram LascanoOn Thursday, 2 January, devotees gathered in Quiapo, Manila, and nearby areas to have their replicas of the Black Nazarene blessed under a footbridge near Quiapo Church as part of the lead-up to the feast on 9 January. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoPapal Nuncio Most Reverend Charles John Brown blessing the replica figures. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoDevotees continue to pray inside Quiapo Church. — Aram LascanoA priest squeezed a bottle of holy water over the footbridge in Quiapo, Manila, to bless Nazareno replicas on Thursday, 2 January. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoA boy drops the rosary placed on the miniature Black Nazarene figure while shaking it in an attempt to show support for the idol. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram LascanoAround 30,000 devotees attended this year’s "pabasbas," which translates to the blessing of Nazarene icons. — Aram Lascano“A family that prays together, stays forever.” — Aram Lascano