A veteran photojournalist tragically passed away while on assignment covering the massive and devout Traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Friday, January 9, 2026.
A Sudden Tragedy Amid Devotion
According to a report from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the journalist, identified as Itoh Son, 55 years old, was working for the tabloid Saksi. He was rushed to the hospital around 3:00 AM after suffering a heart attack. Medical professionals at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center later pronounced him dead.
Procession Proceeds with Massive Security
Despite the somber incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the overall religious event concluded smoothly by Friday noon. The authorities managed the immense crowd of devotees effectively. To ensure security and enforce crowd control, the PNP deployed nearly 18,000 personnel for the duration of the event.
An Earlier Start for the Annual Ritual
This year's Traslacion saw a schedule adjustment. The procession, where the life-sized image of the Black Nazarene is carried through the streets, started one hour earlier than the traditional time. The carriage bearing the revered statue left the Quirino Grandstand at 4:00 AM, making its way back to its home at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, commonly known as Quiapo Church, on Quezon Boulevard.
Typically, the Traslacion commences at 5:00 AM, immediately following the dawn prayer. The event remains one of the largest and most intense displays of public faith in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, drawing millions of participants annually.
