Davao City is preparing for a major display of faith as it invites devotees to the 11th Feast Day of the Poong Nazareno on January 9, 2026. The centerpiece of the celebration will be the annual Traslacion, a solemn procession featuring an official replica of the revered Black Nazarene image.
Schedule of Visits and Solemn Procession
The religious icon will first embark on a series of visits to key parishes across the city. From January 3 to 5, 2026, the image will be at the San Pedro Cathedral. It will then move to the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish on F. Torres Street from January 6 to 7. The final parish visit will be to the San Alfonso Maria de Liguori Parish in Mandug on January 8.
The main event, the Solemn Traslacion Procession, will commence on the feast day itself. The procession will start from the San Alfonso Maria de Liguori Parish in Mandug and conclude at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Chapel in Deca Tigatto, Buhangin at 8 a.m. This chapel is the permanent home of the official replica from Quiapo Church.
Liturgical Celebrations and Devotee Participation
Following the procession, a Fiesta Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the chapel. The mass will be a highlight of the day, presided over by Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles. Organizers have also scheduled an additional mass for 6 p.m. for those who cannot attend the morning service.
In a move to deepen personal devotion, organizers are actively encouraging participants to bring their own personal statues or images of the Black Nazarene. These will be blessed by the clergy during the events. The organizers anticipate hundreds of Catholic faithful to take part in the various activities, reflecting the deep-rooted spirituality of the region.
Historical Roots and National Context
The Davao Traslacion mirrors the tradition of the much larger event in Manila. It commemorates the historic transfer, or traslacion, of the original Black Nazarene image from Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787. The practice is a profound expression of Filipino Catholic devotion, often marked by participants walking barefoot, wearing maroon attire, and seeking to touch the image in the belief it grants blessings and healing.
The 2026 event builds on the momentum of the previous year. On January 9, 2025, the city successfully commemorated the 10th Feast Day with thousands of Dabawenyos joining the procession. Nationally, the Manila Traslacion in 2025 drew an estimated 8.12 million devotees, showcasing the massive scale of devotion to the Poong Nazareno across the Philippines.
