Thousands of Filipino Catholics crossed a bridge in Manila today during the annual Black Nazarene procession.

Aerial footage shows the moment worshippers crowded the 466ft (142m) Ayala Bridge as they inched towards Carlos Palanca Street on their way to Quiapo Church in the Philippine capital.

A sea of devotees is seen pulling the thick ropes attached to the life-sized statue of Jesus, while others jostled through the crowd for a rare chance to get close to the sacred sculpture on January 9.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is a massive spectacle of faith in the predominantly Catholic nation, held annually to commemorate the historical transfer of the statue to its home in Quiapo.

Zealous worshippers traditionally spill out onto the procession route, braving the heat and crush of the crowd to touch the statue, which is widely believed to possess miraculous healing powers.

The Manila Police District (MPD) and the Quiapo Church Command Centre estimated that a staggering 6.5 million people participated in the festivities this year.

Despite the vast numbers, the Command Centre confirmed that the 2026 Traslacion was significantly swifter than in previous years, officially lasting 15 hours and 12 minutes.

By comparison, last year's march lasted approximately 21 hours, only concluding at 1:25 am local time after one of the heavy ropes used to tow the carriage snapped, causing a major delay.

In a statement, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said: 'As we mark this year's Feast, I invite everyone not only to reach for the Nazarene's image, but to let this devotion guide the way we think, act, and help one another long after the procession has passed.

'If we can go through great lengths for a moment of contact with the image, we can also persevere in the daily work of choosing honesty over falsehood, service over self-interest, and compassion over indifference.

'May this celebration deepen our shared vow to carry one another's burdens, share opportunity more fairly, and keep hope alive in the everyday choices that we make to build a more humane and faithful New Philippines. I wish everyone a safe, solemn, and meaningful observance.'

The centuries-old image carrying a cross is believed to be miraculous and was originally brought to the Philippines by Augustinian missionaries from Mexico in 1606. Its dark colour is attributed to the statue surviving a fire.

Catholicism was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century, quickly becoming the country's dominant religion. Over the centuries, it has become deeply ingrained in Filipino culture and society.