MANILA, Philippines — Over 5,000 devotees lined up overnight at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for the first day of “Pahalik”, the kissing or touching of the image of Jesus Nazareno, police said on Thursday, January 8. The Manila Police District (MPD) said that as of 8 a.m. on Thursday, around 5,000 devotees continued to queue for the annual tradition. Alex Irasga, technical adviser of the Quiapo Church, said the number is expected to rise. The “Pahalik” began on Wednesday evening. The activity will run until January 9, ahead of the procession that is expected to draw millions of Nazarene devotees.