MANILA -- Some devotees managed to get close to the image of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday morning as organizers allowed them to start the "Pahalik," a tradition of kissing of the statue which leads up to the annual procession towards the minor basilica in Quiapo.<br /><br />The image of the Black Nazarene was transferred to Quirino Grandstand on Monday evening.<br /><br />Security around the image remains tight, even as organizers have started allowing devotees to begin the "Pahalik" which is supposed to formally start at 1 p.m. tomorrow, January 8.<br /><br />Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed around the image and bomb-sniffing dogs are roving the area round-the-clock.<br /><br />As of Tuesday morning, organizers were still setting up the stage for the vigil that will start at 7 p.m. on January 8 and end at 4 a.m. on January 9.<br /><br />The procession of the image towards the basilica will begin 7 a.m. on January 9 right after the mass presided by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. Some 12 million devotees are expected to join the procession.<br /><br />- Umagang Kay Ganda, 7 January 2014
